Darrell E. Case

Darrell E. Case, 78, Moorhead, MN, died January 11, 2007 of Congestive Heart Failure in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Darrell was born April 2, 1928 to Raymond and Norvella Anderson Case at New Underwood, SD. He attended school at Wall, SD, Van Metre, SD, and graduated from high school at Gary, SD, in 1946. In 1945, just before entering his senior year of high school, he joined the Francis Hess Orchestra of Watertown, SD, playing the trumpet. In 1950, he and his brother, Marlin went to Rapid City and joined the Harry Evans Band, playing on Radio KOTA, and various places in the Black Hills Area. On Saturday nights they performed at the Rapid City Auditorium where they usually had a celebrity join them. Among some of the celebrities were: Regi Cross WLS Chicago, Kitty Wells, Minnie Pearl, Smiley Burnett, and Pat Buttram.In January of 1951, he joined the US Navy, serving on board the USS Norfolk, DL-1. Honorably discharged in November of 1954, he returned to South Dakota where he worked a short time before moving to Minneapolis, MN and going to work for the Sherwin Williams Paint Company.It was in Minneapolis where he met his future wife, Agnes Leona Anseeuw, and they were united in marriage on July 15, 1957. In 1960, they moved to Moorhead, MN, where he continued in the paint business and raised their family.In 1980, he began working for the Moorhead School System as a custodian, retiring in 1993. Darrell remained a musician all of his life. In the late 1970's he began playing Dixieland Music in the FM area. He played with Frank Scott's Dixieland Group and with Bodie's Dixieland Band. In 1995, he joined Julie Lee and the White Rose Band, and performed at Polka Fests in 8 Midwestern States and Manitoba, Canada. He also performed for a number of years with the Red river Valley Veteran's Concert Band. During the last few years, he played 'Taps' at many area military funerals. It was his great love of music that kept him young at heart and rich with friendships.Darrell had a warm and wonderful personality and always had a joke to tell. His family, friends, and the love of music were the most important things in his life. He touched many peoples lives with his kind and gentle spirit, and will be greatly missed.Darrell is survived by his wife, Agnes, Moorhead; daughter, Vicky Dan Thompson, Pelican Rapids, MN; son, Ronald Debbie Case, Sabin, MN; daughter, Linda Bud Newman, Moorhead, MN. Grandchildren are Jacqueline Eide, Omaha, NE, Jeffrey Eide, Zielona Gora, Poland, and Crystal Newman, Moorhead, MN; sister, Marlene Bill Barney of Modesto, CA. He was preceded in death by a brother, Glen in infancy, his parents, and a brother, Marlin Mars Case. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 109, Gary, SD.Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo, ND.