Darrel "Swede" D Belden, age 87, passed away Friday, April 1st, 2016, at Oakwood Villa in Altoona. Darrel was born in Eau Claire, WI, on September 27, 1928 to William Belden Sr. and Mabel (Martinson) Belden. Swede started working at the age of 14 for Stange's Grocery as a delivery boy. He enlisted in the Navy when he was 17. He was stationed in China where he was a gunner on the USS Helena and the USS Iowa, and a jeep driver when on land. Darrel was very proud to have served in the military and was a member of the Eau Claire VFW. After returning home he worked for Clover Dairy hauling milk, then Presto Industries, and finally as maintenance and custodian for the Eau Claire School System until his retirement in 1986. Darrel married Rosena Harper on September 11th, 1954. They had one daughter, Kim. Swede played softball for many teams, Del-Rio's Bar, Jack's Place, Mac's Typewriter, and Wigwam Tavern to name a few. After retiring from this sport he was the coach for the women's softball team. Later in life he loved fishing with his friend, Frank, was an avid hunter, certified key maker, and as a hobby repaired lawn mowers, snow blowers, and anything with a small engine. He helped his neighbors, snow blowing in the winter, lawn mowing in the summer, fixing electrical or plumbing problems, and anything else he could do for them. Darrel is survived by his two daughters, Kim Johnson and Carol White; five grandchildren, Heather(James) Schintgen, Angela (Christopher) Johnson, Kristy (Brandon) Johnson, Amber (Steve) Drier and Tiffany (Sawyer) Butterfield; 12 great-grandchildren, Gavin, Colin, Haylee, Sennett, Eva, Kindal, Angelica, Asher, Rosaley, Kadin, Hannah, Ella and Lucy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mabel; three sisters, Julia (Ernest) Soley, Beverly (Eugene) Martin and Winifred (Paul) Nicolai; and a brother, William Belden Jr. The family wished to express gratitude and thanks to the staff at Oakwood Villa for the care he received there, and St Croix Hospice for helping Swede and his family thru the last few weeks of his life. A visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 9th at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave, Eau Claire, with Pastor David Irgens officiating a prayer vigil beginning at 3 p. m. Military honors will be conducted after. Interment will be in Northside Lutheran Cemetery in Eau Claire. Lenmark-Gonsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the VFW post 305, 1300 Starr Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703. For more memories of Darrell "Swede" please visit https://swedememories.shutterfly.com/ .

Service Information

Cemetery

Lutheran Church Cemetery 1700 Omaha Street Eau Claire WI 54701

Visitation

Saturday, April 9 2016 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Prayer Service

Saturday, April 9 2016 3:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703