Darrell Ernest Machtell, 84, died at SMP Health-St. Raphael in Valley City, ND on April 15, 2023. Darrell was born March 26, 1939, in Minot, ND. He was the son of Ernest Nicholas and Lauretta Theresa (Traiser) Machtell. He was raised in Minot and graduated from Minot Model High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps, where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. Following his discharge, he returned to ND. His parents had moved to Jamestown, and he joined them there. Darrell began working for Traiser Electric doing odd jobs while he worked as a fireman on the Northern Pacific Railroad engine crew.
On February 10, 1962, Darrell married Phyllis Ann Boehm at St. James Basilica in Jamestown. They lived in Jamestown for two years and started their family, having Daniel and Nicholas. The family moved to Mandan, ND for a year. Darrell was working for the railroad until the firemen were removed from the engine crews. In 1965, they moved to Valley City, ND. Their third child joined the family here, a daughter, Christine. Darrell was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone, US West, and Qwest and retired in 2002.
Darrell had numerous loves within his life. Family, anything outdoors (including hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and flowers), woodworking of all kinds and dancing were all passions of his. His circle of friends he met came from many of those loves and hobbies. He also volunteered at the Nearly Nu Store, St. Catherine’s Church, St. Catherine’s School hot lunch program and was a hospitality minister at St. Catherine’s Church, where he was a long time member. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, AmVets, and Telephone Pioneers of America.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis; sister, Darlene Becker and her husband, Joseph; sister, Kay Di Paulo and her husband, Sal; brothers-in-law, Robert Hayden and Thomas Boehm; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Leary and her husband John.
Darrell is survived by his children, Daniel (Pamela) Machtell and their son, Andrew, Nicholas (Rhonda) Machtell and their daughters, Chantel, Kaylah, and Taylor Machtell, and Christine (Steve) Baird and their sons, Tanner (Chelsea) Baird and their children, Kaiyah and Ezrah and Codey (Alicia) Baird.
Visitation for Darrell will be Tuesday, April 18 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 in the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel, Valley City. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 19 at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. He and Phyllis will be laid to rest later this spring at St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery, Valley City. The
service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com An online guestbook is available there as well. The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.