Darrell Luther Childs, age 80, of Madelia, died Sunday, January 3, 2010, at Madelia Community Hospital.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Mankato Mortuary, with Rev. Gene Alms officiating. Burial will be in Garden City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service on Saturday.

Darrell was born May 6, 1929, in Lake Crystal to Clinton M. and Mildred C. (Dimmick) Childs. He was united in marriage to Lorraine H. Leesch on April 4, 1948, in Mapleton. They celebrated their 61st Anniversary in April 2009 at Luther Memorial Home. Darrell was a farmer in the Garden City area until 1963. He then was employed by Lundin Construction and SMC Construction until retiring in 1991. Darrell was a member of the Teamsters Union. He enjoyed old cars, attending auctions, and Allis Chalmers tractors.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Lorraine of Madelia; five children, Linda Hale and husband, Tom, of Maplewood, Judy Geistfeld and husband, Ted, of Lewisville, Geri Strong of Cottage Grove, Dennis Childs and wife, Leslie Graham-Childs, of Mankato, Brian Childs and special friend, Jolene Blekestad, of Madelia; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lori in 1990; and Lori’s infant son, Daniel in 1991.