Service Details
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Visitation: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Memorial Service: 6:00 p.m
Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the shelter where Dexter was adopted: Tailwaggers 911 (2137A Valley Court Grafton, WI 53024) or Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church (1700 S. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI. 53406), where Darin was a member since July 26, 1998.
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MILWAUKEE (FORMERLY OF RACINE) – Darin M. Andersen, 45, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 4, 2018.
He was born in Racine on July 24, 1972, the son of Nels and RuthAnn (nee: Knudson) Andersen. He graduated from Washington Park High School in 1990 and was a proud member and center (#74) for the 1988 Panther football championship team. The team would later be inducted to the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame. He also attended UW-Milwaukee.
On September 22, 2007 he married Kim Melger.
Darin was employed by Power Parts International in West Bend.
He was an avid golfer and loved cheering for the Cubs and Packers. Darin enjoyed concerts; attending 49 Dave Matthews Band performances and most recently, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones New Year’s Eve concert in Boston. He will be remembered for his happiness and his love for family and friends.
In addition to his wife, Kim of Milwaukee, Darin is survived by his canine son and buddy, Dexter; his mother and stepfather, RuthAnn and Henry Miller; his father and stepmother, Nels “Butch” and Debra Andersen; his sister, Kim (Kevin) Jones; his nephew, Cody Jones; his niece and Goddaughter, Haley Jones all of Racine; his brother-in-law, Eric (Tracy) Melger of Issaquah, WA; his stepsisters, Sarah (Gary) Moran of Salem, WI, Kari Pavia and nephew, Dylan of Racine, Dawn Miller of Racine and his stepbrother Darrell Miller of Racine; his aunt, Peedee Weiland of Appleton; as well as many other aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. Darin was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Ruth England and Nels and Esther Andersen and Uncle Chuck Knudson.
Special thanks to everyone at Power Parts International and to his special lifelong friend Paul Flones.
Family and friends are invited to meet at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, February 10, 2018 for a visitation from 4-6 p.m. A memorial service honoring and celebrating his life will follow at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Warren Williams officiating. A private interment will take place next to his grandparents, George and Ruth England at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the shelter where Dexter was adopted: Tailwaggers 911 (2137A Valley Court Grafton, WI 53024) or Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church (1700 S. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI. 53406), where Darin was a member since July 26, 1998.
Sarah Pavia-Moran- says
Beloved Brother, you gave no one a last farewell, nor ever said good-bye. You were gone before I knew it, and only God knows why. A million times I will miss you. A millions times I will cry. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly. In death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place, no else can fill. It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, for part of me went with you the day God took you home.
We will meet again someday I know in a better place. I thank God he made you my brother while you were here on earth.
Susan Bowen says
Darin, we didn’t get to know each other well, but we shared loving several special people and the extended family they created. I am sorry you had to go so soon. I hope you have found peace at last. You will be greatly missed.
Andrew Vebber says
Darin, you will really be missed brother. You were one of the first people that I met at UWM. You were someone that I looked up to during my time there. Big laugh. Big smile. Great guy. Too soon.
Rose & Karl Heinz says
We truly truly love you. We will miss your voice and I especially your hugs when we saw each other. We express our sympathy to Darin’s entire family and his friends.
Terri and Eric Gustafson says
We are so sorry for your loss. You will be in our prayers.
Kari Pavia says
Darin/UncleD,
Words cannot express the sadness and void in my heart right! You are an amazing guy and I’ll miss you like I’ve never missed someone before. Thank you for being the best uncle to Dylan he adores you as well as I know you adore him. I know you’d want us all to go on but right now that’s hard, but your memory and life’s dash will not be hard to carry on with, I promise we will continue to keep you alive through all the memories we all made and the times we all spent with you. And you gotta promise to watch over us and all your friends and family that miss you so, maybe drop us a sign from time to time! Rest easy sweet brother I will always love you
Your sister
Mike and Susan Major says
To Darin’s family, Kim-words can not express our sorrow on Darin’s passing. Darin you’ll always be remembered for your larger than life presence. To all of Darin’s close friends in time you will find peace and reflect on the times spent with Darin. To Ruthann many years have passed since I lived with Darin at UWM but my heart breaks for how sweet you were to us when you visited. My memories will always be of how much love you showed him and how much he loved you back in his special way. My deepest sympathies to you, Kim and everyone in your family. May you find peace.
Cathy Necci says
Prayers and sympathy to your family and friends. We had a great visit at Tony and Mindy’s home in December and your motivating spirit will always be remembered. You’re enthusiasm…. Priceless
Paul Greif says
You will be missed my friend. The silence is deafening. I am so glad to have known you. I knew you were a great guy when we first met at Tru-Line CNC. Then you walked into Power Parts, and the rest, as they say, is history. You were not just a coworker, you were a great friend. I’m already missing your laughter, your bellowing “Paw!” for me, and I will sorely miss our daily commiseration. The musketeers may have been disbanded, but your love for your friends will never be forgotten. Love ya brother.
Jeff and Annie Fidler says
So sorry for your loss! May his journey to God’s Kingdom be Godspeed.
Tony Necci says
I will love you always Darin.
With Love, Jennifer (Weber) Holtz says
I was so sorry to hear of Darin’s passing. I know how much he was loved by all of you. My heart breaks for my dear friend, Kim. I love you and am thinking of you. I wish I could be there to support you on a day I know will be so difficult. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. All of you who loved and will miss Darin so much. RuthAnn, so sorry for your loss.
Jenn (Sanchez) Ebert, Park class of 1990 says
So very sad to hear of Darin’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family and friends.
Maria Brown says
My sincere deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers.
Tracey Johnston says
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and dear friends of Darin. We worked together for 7 years and I considered him one of my “boys”. Darin, you were larger than life and I will miss your loud voice, loud laugh and heart of gold.
Curt Hoffman says
My most sincere condolences to Darin’s family, many friends and especially to Kim. I am not sure if I know anyone else who had more friends than D. He seemed to be everyone’s best bud. Darin was always the center of the fun. We had so many good times. I have tons of the best memories created with D. He was my first roommate at UWM (with Eric) and one of my closest friends for a long time. As time went on we lost touch a bit. It is tough to type this…rest in peace buddy. You’ll be missed brother.
Much Love, Scott and Pam Feezor says
Darin,
It is so HARD to look at your house knowing you will never be there again. We will miss you more than ever. NO WORDS CAN SAY !!!! KIM, we are so sorry for your loss and to his parents too. God bless you Darin !!!
Pamela Lardinois says
Kim, sincere condolences to you. We wish words alone could help during this time. Sending our prayers, hugs, and love.
– pam and mike
Brandon Frank says
Darin my friend. I dont have words to describe the sadness of loosing a friend way to soon. I will pray that your family finds solice in knowing that you are now in heaven as a special angel to watch over all of them. Thanks for all of the true friendship that we shared throught our young lives through school and then recently. You will never be forgotten. I will share you in my memories and stories for ever. Big hugs to all that are hurting right now. I know Darin loved all of you and was so proud of his family. He would brag when we were kids and I thought that was the best compliment any kid could pay their family. Love you D.
Ruth Ann Miller aka Mom says
Darin’s Mom says,
Please let me and our family express our deepest appreciation for the love, friendship and kind words you have written about Darin. Don’t stop talking about him, mention his name often, right or wrong – in the present tense.
Miss you my son.
Mom
Freddy and Jeanne Zirbel says
Kim. We are so sorry for your loss. Words can’t express how much we will miss Darin….the life of the party and also, the sweetest guy with the biggest heart of gold. Our memories of Darin cannot be extinguished and will stay in our minds and hearts forever.
Ron Kartschoke says
You are so missed brother but will live on in the hearts & memories of your family & many friends. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers though this difficult time.
Deb and Dad (Nels-Butch) Andersen says
The moment you left me, my heart was split in two, one side filled with memories; the other side died with you. I often lay awake at night when the world is fast asleep and take a walk down memory lane with tears upon my cheek. Remembering you is easy, I do it everyday; but missing you is a heartache that never goes away. I hold you tightly within my heart; and there you will remain, you see life goes on without you but will never be the same.
We loved you with all our hearts.
Lori Meissner Branch says
Darin, although we haven’t seen each other in many years, I have a lot of fun memories of all us of hanging out in high school, many fun times at the Kentucky St. house! I’m praying for your dear Mom and sister especially, as I know the grief they are experiencing. You will be greatly missed Darin! I’m donating to Tailwaggers because I know how much Dexter means to you, love seeing all his pics on FB! Love and prayers to all your family Darin. XO
Anita Carr says
So very sorry. No words to express the depth of your loss. May the love of God embrace you in these tough moments and help you heal the pain you feel in your heart by means of time.
Jeff Ward says
My deepest sympathies go to the family and fellow friends.
I could write about Darin in many different positive ways, but I would like to emphasize here that Darin was always there for his friends in times of need, and I was certainly no exception.
When my father passed away, Darin and Kim were some of the first people to express condolences. I’ll never forget how Darin immediately gave me a gigantic hug when he first saw me after the passing.
In a much lighter situation, I very much appreciate the friendship Darin showed me when I had the fortune of running into him and Kim at Summerfest one year. As we hung out for a few hours before our concerts began, Darin cheered me up and made me forget that the woman’s phone number I had received the night before was a phony one.
I have many other positive memories of Darin.
When Darin joined my friends from high school and me at a camping trip to the Wolf River, my friends quickly became enamored with him as people often did.
I also fondly remember watching the Packers, movies, Cheers, and Conan as well as just hanging around the apartment with Darin.
I am very fortunate to have such memories of Darin, and I will cherish them.
I miss you, Darin, and I love you very much.
Sandy & Bruce Hess says
We are so sorry Ruth Ann to hear about Darin’s passing. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts and if we can do anything for you please don’t hesitate to ask.
Julia Brennan says
Darin,
Old roommate and friend, it was a pleasure to know you. I am saddened . You will be greatly missed.
Jim and Debbie Muleski says
Dear Ruth Ann and Hank
Our Sympathies, Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Love,
Jim and Debbie Muleski
hazel says
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Know that God is aware of the tears you are shedding. (Psalm 56:18) He will soon do what is said at Acts 24:15, which promises us of a resurrection of our loved ones. May that bring you hope. Take comfort in your good memories and allow your family and loving friends to help you through this difficult time.
Gary Moran says
Darin,
I may have only known you for the past 5 years, but the very first day we met, we instantly bonded. “Did we just become best friends?-YUP!” I will never forget the many good times we shared, from the summer parties, the many concerts we attended, the “buck-a-fish” fishing contests we had, the countless talks, the endless games, the laughs and shenanigans. The projects we did together on my house and yours. The last time we talked you told me to take care of your sister and that I promised you I would do and I will do. Thank you for the memories and I also promise you that they will not be forgotten. You have taught me so much and your amazing impact on those who knew you was profound. Our friendship can be defined by our favorite movie line “who’s car we gonna take?”. I love you, I miss you my friend, my brother.
Sandra Salamoni says
What a beautiful tribute to Darin. Plus beautiful words to live by and to remember him. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Ruth Ann Miller (aka your Mom) says
Darin,
I love you to the Moon and back.
Love and miss you every moment of every day.
Mom
💔
N~ says
Darin it’s been 4 months since you’ve left and I still feel this heartache I don’t think will ever go away, this is a pain I have never felt before. My love to your mom and sisters I know how much you cherished them. And they cherished you. I can only imagine the pain they feel. I am thankful for the fun times we had together and the serious times too. I love you and will miss you forever. You left us way too soon. Until we meet again….
Mom says
Mom says,
On July 1, 2018 while you were watching from above, your sister Kim, brother-in-law Kevin and your Mom went to Summerfest to watch, for you, your 50th Dave Matthews concert. I now understand why you attended and enjoyed so many of his concerts – truly amazing. Emotional without you with us.
Love, miss you, always in my ❤️.
Ruth says
Happy Birthday Darin. Your first birthday in Heaven. You are missed and loved every moment of every day. To the moon and back, you are loved.
Mom
Mom (Ruth Ann Miller) says
Happy 46th Birthday Darin. Your first birthday in Heaven. You are missed every moment of every day. We love you to the moon and back. Our lives will never be the same without you in it. Our hearts are 💔.
Love, Mom, Hank, Kim, Kevin, Cody, Haley, Chance, Sadie, Aspen and your best buddy Dexter.
Mom says
💔