Lester Darco

Lester Darco, known by many as “Cowboy”, age 89, of Gary, MN, died Sunday, May 4, 2014, at Bemidji Medical Center, Bemidji, MN. Lester Herman Darco, the 6th of 8 children was born April 22, 1925, to Dan H. and Nettie (Terway) Darco. He grew up on a farm near Beaulieu, MN, and attended school in Mahnomen. Following his schooling, Lester entered the United States Army. Upon being discharged, he returned to the Mahnomen area. In August of 1945, Lester was united in marriage to Felicia Trautner and they began a family. The couple later divorced and Lester remained in the Mahnomen area. In the early 1990’s, he married Clara “Jeanie” Bennet and they lived west of Mahnomen. Over the years, Lester sold Christmas trees, owned and operated Darco’s Body Shop, and trained and sold horses. His love for horses began as a young boy. His entire life he was involved with horses. In addition to training and selling horses, Lester also judged at many horse shows and could often be found at the sales barn. He has many ribbons himself for showing horses and started the Mahnomen Saddle Club. Lester had a true love for horses and wasn’t dressed until he had his cowboy hat and boots. He, along with Pat Goodwin, can also be credited with naming the Sno-deo, many years ago. Like his father, he had a knack for telling stories and giving people nicknames. He loved his family and had great faith. Lester is survived by five daughters:Claudette (Bill) Tiley, Fort Collins, CO, Jill (Buck) Johnson, Minden, NV, Debbie (Pete) Blattenbauer, Red Feather Lakes, CO, Kay Darco, Fort Collins, CO, Dana (Randy) Berggren, Moorhead, MN; three step-sons: Rick Lebsack, Scott Lebsack, & Terry Witt; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Carol Darco, Fort Collins, CO; brother, Everett (Gloria) Darco, Mahnomen, MN; sister, Alverta Bell, Dallas, TX; sister-in-law, JoAnn Darco, Dent, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jeanie; daughter, Stacie Darco, sons, Lester Jr. and Dennis Darco; sisters, Ruby LaVoy and Hazel Garland; brothers, Jay, Kenneth and infant John Darco and a grandson, Travis Marsh. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 9, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Beaulieu.

Lester Darco

April 22, 1925 - May 4, 2014