"I?ll never forget all of the great times our families spent together. The all night hand and foot game in the camper is a great memory. Much love to Dawn and all. Rhonda Croson Hamblin P.S. Dad said he agrees!"
In loving memory of
Darwin Harold Kotenbrink
January 11, 1934 - April 5, 2019
Darwin Harold Kotenbrink, 85, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Friday, April 5, 2019 at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. He was born on January 11, 1934 on the family farm in rural Geneva, Iowa to Harold and Jennie (Ubben) Kotenbrink.
Darwin graduated from Geneva High School. After high school, he was drafted into the Army in March, 1954. While on leave before he was sent to Germany, Darwin married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Ann Paulus, on April 28, 1955, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. In the Army, he was trained as a mechanic for Army observation planes. After his discharge in 1956, Darwin and Darlene began farming in Sheffield, and later in Hampton, where they raised their 3 children. After retiring from farming in 1984, Darwin worked as a feed truck driver, drove the Access Transit bus, and delivered Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed traveling with Darlene in their later years, going to Alaska, Europe, Canada and on several cruises with friends/family. He was an avid fisherman and especially enjoyed taking the grandchildren fishing at the pond at Terrace Hill. Darwin loved playing his saxophone and was a member of several bands in the Hampton area; the Mike Smith Band, the Combo-5, the Rhythm Kings, and the Velvetones. In his retirement years, he rejoined the leader of the Velvetones, and the two of them enjoyed entertaining residents in nursing homes throughout Iowa. Darwin also enjoyed playing his sax for his Lord and Savior at churches in the Hampton area, for his faith was a very important part of his life. He was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Hampton.
Darwin is survived by his three children: son Dennis (Mona) of Hampton, daughters Debbie (Jay) Leeman of Guttenberg, Iowa, and Dawn (Jon) Wright of Austin, Texas; twelve grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; brother Rodney (Sheryl) of Houston, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Darlene, his parents Harold and Jennie, and granddaughter Brianna Weismann.
Tributes
"We were so sorry to hear of Darwin's passing. We have lots of good memories of him and Darlene. He was a very friendly and nice person. He will be missed. May Our Lord give all of you comfort and strength during this very sad time. With Deepest Sympathy, Leo and Sharon Paulus"