Darrell Dean Malpert, 89, of Lindsborg, KS, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 29th at Lindsborg Community Hospital in Lindsborg, KS. Darrell was born March 21, 1934, at Nora, NE, the middle child of three sons born to John and Karen (Bach) Malpert. He was baptized April 22, 1934, at Salem Lutheran Church-Superior, NE, by Pastor C. Bunge.
Before the age of one, the family moved to Cadams, NE. Darrell began his education at Cadams until the family moved to Deshler, NE in 1942. On May 16, 1948, he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler by the Reverend R.H. Riensche. Darrell graduated from Deshler High School in 1951. He went on and attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in June 1956. In the summers of his college years, Darrell worked in his uncle’s drug store where he learned the business side of pharmacy having the dream of owning his own store someday.
In September, after his college graduation, Darrell entered the armed services where he served at Dugway, Utah, as a laboratory technician and in Newfoundland, assigned to the Strategic Air Command hospital providing shot clinics and other medical services for the military personnel and their dependents. While in Newfoundland, his superiors noticed that Darrell was especially good with young children, therefore, any vaccinations for children were sent to him. He was honorably discharged in September 1958.
On February 14, 1959, Darrell was united in marriage to Janet Werner at Peace Lutheran Church, Deshler NE, by Pastor Erwin Janssen. To this union, three daughters were born, Dawn, Avona and Meredith. The couple made their first home in Hebron, NE, where Darrell was a pharmacist at Christensen Drug. They later moved to Clarinda, IA, where he was a pharmacist for Hawley Drug for eight years. In 1969, Darrell fulfilled his dream and purchased Higdon Drug Store in Goodland, KS, where he and Janet owned and operated Malpert Drug Company for the next 28 years until Darrell’s retirement in 1997.
While in Goodland, KS, Darrell served on the city council, was a member of the Goodland Chamber of Commerce and served on the church council of Emmanual Lutheran Church.
Darrell was an avid fisherman. When he was not filling prescriptions, he would be at the lake. Darrell also enjoyed golfing on his days off, however he said that he would have been a better golfer if he didn’t spend so much time boating and fishing. Throughout his years in Goodland, Darrell shared his love of the lake with family and friends, spending many weekends boating and picnicking. Darrell also enjoyed swimming, hiking, and watching the stars. He enjoyed taking hikes with his family and getting the telescope out to share his knowledge of astronomy. Darrell is named in the International Star Registry with a star named after him. After Jan’s retirement in 2001, the couple moved to Lindsborg, KS. During retirement the couple enjoyed travelling, especially spending winter months in Green Valley, AZ. Darrell also enjoyed gardening and supplying the neighborhood with plenty of tomatoes and cucumbers. Darrell was an avid reader and enjoyed learning new things. He served on the Lindsborg Housing Authority as a board member of Villa Ro and was also a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and the Lindsborg Lions Club.
Darrell was preceded in death by his wife Janet of 63 years, his parents, John and Karen Malpert, brother Kenneth Malpert, his father and mother-in-law Albert and Esther Werner, sisters-in-law Jane Malpert and Jan Werner.
He is survived by his three daughters, Dawn (Kendal) Rohr of Canton, KS; Avona (Scott) Wennihan of Columbus, NE; Meredith (Wayne) Pohlmann of Deshler, NE; brother Merlin (Barbara) Malpert of Nixa, MO, and brother-in-law Ronald Werner of Poplar Grove, IL. He was a proud grandparent to Bret (Zoe) and Scott (Tiffany) Rohr, Miranda (Todd) Jackson, Whitney (AJ) Bayerl, Emily Pohlmann, Megan (Zach) Mason, Jared (Cheyanna) Pohlmann, Ragan Pohlmann, fourteen great-grandchildren, many friends, and relatives.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., August 19th at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, KS with burial in Deshler, NE, at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, the Lindsborg Lions Club, and Sunflower Terrace, care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.