Darwyn Leroy Kanzelman, 77, New Rockford, died Sunday, November 11, 2012 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford after a second battle with cancer.

Darwyn was born January 20, 1935, the 2nd of 4 children to Wilrich “Bill� and Myrtle (Halvorson) Kanzelman on a farm east of Flora, ND. He graduated from 8th grade in Flora and the Benson County Agriculture & Training School in Maddock in 1952 at the age of 17. While in school, he worked on the family farm and for the local implement dealer. He was drafted into the US Army in 1955 and served two years of active duty at Fort Belvoir, VA as an Engineering Equipment Repairman. Returning home he worked for Farmers Union in Maddock as a mechanic.

He married Faye Olson of Sheyenne, on September 7, 1959. They moved to Watford City, ND where he was a parts manager for OK Implement and an assistant Boy Scout Leader. In 1963, he started Darwyn’s Cities Service, a complete auto care service station in New Rockford. The name & location of his business changed over the years, but he provided high quality auto care for the community for 21 yrs. They had 3 children, Tami, Michael, and Robert. For health reasons in 1984, he sold the station and went to work for BR Chevrolet as service manager. In May of 1991, Michael died in a tragic car accident, just after Darwyn won the election for Eddy County Treasurer. He was proud of working for Eddy County and served for four terms before retiring at age 72 in 2007.

He was dedicated to his family, his community, and his church. He served on the New Rockford Fire Department for over 25 years, several as Fire Chief, and was a charter member of the Community Ambulance Service, receiving the Governor’s Life Saving Award. He was active for years in Kiwanis International and the Boy Scouts, and was a faithful member of First Lutheran Church, holding a variety of positions. He was a long time member of the Lions Club and remained active throughout his later years.

He was a serious, hardworking person. Even with all his community obligations and the long work weeks, he always made special time for his family. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, driving snowmobiles & motorcycles, and was known for his ability to fix anything. He fought and survived many serious health issues over the years, but when feeling well, loved nothing better than being with his family and especially getting out to the lake to go fishing. He was a great supporter of anything his children and grandchildren were interested in, as varied as they were. He didn’t talk a lot, but when he did, people listened. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a trustworthy business man, and a loyal friend.

He is survived by his wife, Faye of New Rockford, his daughter Tami (Wayne) Hipp of Riverdale, ND; his son Robert (Beth) Kanzelman of Rochester, MN; and his grandchildren, Tony, Josh & Jake Hipp, Riverdale, ND; & Kayla and Nathan Kanzelman, Rochester, MN; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Wilrich “Bill�, his brother Erlin, his brother Phillip “Bud�, his son Michael, his step-father Irwin Westby, his mother Mrytle Westby, and his sister, Phyllis.

FUNERAL SERVICE: First Lutheran Church, New Rockford, ND

DATE AND TIME: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 10:30AM

BURIAL: Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford, ND