"Condolences to the Darbo family. I worked with Don in the mid 70's at National Bushing & Parts Co - my dad was Vern Miller who also worked many years with Don. While I was just a kid working after school and summers, I got to know "Darbo" as we would help get all of his orders together for delivery. He was as nice as they come, treated all of his co-workers and customers with respect, and brought a positive attitude and sense of humor to work with him every day. He was a great salesman and National Bushing was lucky to have him for so many years."
In loving memory of
Donald Cleve Darbo
July 10, 1937 - March 30, 2023
Donald "Don" C. Darbo , 85, of Rochester, MN passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary's Campus in Rochester.
Don was born July 10, 1937 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Roy and Stella Darbo. He grew up in Spring Valley, MN and graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1956. He went on to attend Rochester Community College where he studied and played college basketball. On June 19, 1960 he married his sweetheart Jacque Darbo at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, MN. Jacque passed in 2009 and they are once again reunited. Don worked at National Bushing Auto Parts for 50 years before retiring. He was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for over 59 years and loved being involved with ushering and the men's group.
Don absolutely loved sports and especially the Vikings, the Packers and the Twins and he was always up on his sports news. He was involved for many years in the Rochester Youth Baseball Association. He coached baseball for many years and was the President of RYBA for years as well. What he was most proud of was his eight grandchildren. He loved being able to tell his friends and waitresses at his favorite restaurants in Rochester all about his grandchildren.
Survivors include his son Greg Darbo of Rochester and his four sons, Forrest, Hunter, Stone and Tanner. His daughter, Stephanie (Chris) Gartner of Byron and their four daughters, Isabelle, Olivia, Gabrielle and Sophia. He also survived many special nieces and nephews that thought the world of their "Uncle Donnie." He was preceded in death by his wife Jacque, an infant daughter, two brothers and two sisters.
He will be truly missed by so many. His smile was genuine, he lived life simple and truly enjoyed it.
A funeral for Don will be Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:30am at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN with Pastor Hayden Kvamme officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Darbo family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Tributes
"Don called on Bishop & Wachholz for National Bushing. Looked so forward to seeing him, always smiling and with a good joke. Don, you are missed!!!!"
"Thinking of Greg and Stephie during this difficult time, Rest well my friend you were such a kind and gentle man who I always enjoyed talking with. I will never forget you."