September 19, 1956 – January 5, 2022

A memorial service for Darwin Schelhaas, 65, of Edgerton, Minn., was held Monday, January 10, 2022; 10:00 a.m., at the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton with Pastor Scott Muilenburg officiating. Interment was in the Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton.

Music was provided by organist Carla Elgersma; special music, How Great Thou Art by Keith Elbers; Lords Prayer by Greg Masselink. Congregational hymns were Great Is Thy Faithfulness, In Christ Alone, and Hallelujah Chorus for the recessional,

Casket bearers were Gary Van Eck, Larry Van Eck, Raymond Schelhaas, Randy Schelhaas, Al Schelhaas, and Ron Nykamp.

Honorary casket bearers were all his grandchildren.

Darwin Henry Schelhaas was born September 19, 1956, to Leroy and Grace (Eernisse) Schelhaas.  He was baptized and made profession of his faith in First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton, where he remained a faithful and active member throughout his life. He attended Edgerton Christian Elementary School and graduated from Southwest Minnesota Christian High School in 1975. After high school, Darwin moved to a farm north of Edgerton, and, on February 11, 1977, he was united in marriage to Joann Vanden Berg. The two of them spent many days working together on the farm raising crops, pigs, and beef and dairy cattle. Their family also began to grow, and they were blessed with a daughter and two sons.

In 1993, Darwin and his family moved to the old Schelhaas family farm two miles north of Edgerton. Darwin took great joy in working the farm with his children, and many fond memories were made in the field and in his shop. Later in life, many wonderful hours were spent with his grandchildren teaching them to drive a tractor, flying around in his side by side, or having a sleepover in the cabin. Darwin always had a project to work on as well, and he could often be found out in his shop repairing something or building something for one of his grandkids.

Throughout his life, Darwin’s greatest desires were to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to see his children and grandchildren come to faith as well. Darwin passed away in his home on January 5, 2022. He lived his life with the goal of one day hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Joann; his daughter, Melissa (Greg) Masselink, Jacob, Hannah, Isabella, and Lilyana; and two sons, Brian (Becky) Schelhaas, Clint, Isaac, and Adam; and Eric (Cassie) Schelhaas, Chloe, Brayleigh, Oliver, and bonus grandchild Keeari; one brother, Arvin (Lorelei) Schelhaas; three sisters, Dianne (Bill) Sandbulte, Connie (Dan) Heard, and Vonda (Cheney) Vander Top; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, a sister-in-law, and two nieces.