Darrel Peyton

Darrel Peyton, 86 of Long Prairie, passed away December 2, 2020. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 12, 2020 from 10 AM-12 PM at Iten Funeral Home in Browerville; followed by a Graveside Service at 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Long Prairie.
Darrel was born December 30, 1933, in Lake View, Iowa to Leslie & Jennie (Jackson) Peyton. He grew up on the family’s farm, enjoyed traveling, camping and fishing with his family, hunting, and trapping with his brother and friends. During his school years, Darrel enjoyed playing basketball with the FFA team. They lost only one game in three years. He was very active in 4-H and served as President of the FFA club. During the summer, he enjoyed exhibiting livestock and poultry at county fairs.
He married the love of his life, Darlene Johnson, on January 31, 1954. In April of that year, Darrel enlisted in the Army until March 1956. He served in Germany and obtained the rank of Corporal. Soon after, Darrel and Darlene began farming near Sac City, Iowa. They were blessed with four children, Debi, Randy, Danny, and Jerry. In February 1963, they moved to a farm on Lake Latimer near Long Prairie, MN. Darrel crop farmed, raised black Angus cattle, and sheep. He also worked for Long Prairie Packing Company for many years. Darrel was a great steward of the land. He was awarded Todd County Conservation Farmer of the year in 1978 for developing terraces and waterways to preserve topsoil erosion. They raised their family to love and appreciate the great outdoors and farm life.
Family and friends enjoyed talking with him about hunting and reloading because of his vast knowledge. Darrel loved his restored antique tractors and was always ready to fire them up and go for a spin. He always looked forward to his annual Canada fishing trips that led to lifelong memories of remote camping, huge fish (caught and lost), scary rough water crossings, bears visiting camp, lost props on rocks, fishing in snowstorms, and all-night talks by the campfires.
Darrel loved to talk to people and always ready to learn something about them, where they lived, or about their culture. He and Darlene loved to travel, enjoying many exotic locations – from Alaska to the Caribbean to Europe. He enjoyed shooting sports, card clubs, cross-country skiing, and beating Darlene at cribbage.
Darrel had a great love for family and gave each of the grandchildren their own special nickname: Schnooks, Tutz, Red, Charlie, Speed, Buck, Squirt, Nic, Blossom, Shorty, Sam, Smiley, & Sparky. The pride and love carried with these names will never be forgotten.
Darrel is survived by his children: Deborah (Rodney) Garlock, Randy (Pam) Peyton, Danny (Deloris) Peyton, Jerry (Connie) Peyton; 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and brother, Dale (Polly) Peyton.
Darrel is preceded in death by his loving wife, Darlene (Johnson) Peyton; parents, Leslie, and Jennie Peyton; sister, Sherry (Bob) Mason; and grandson, Preston Rohr.