Darrel Frederick Stephan, 81, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born on July 3, 1945, in Jefferson, he was the son of the late Willam (Bill) and Zeffie (Bruger) Stephan.
After graduating from Jefferson High School, Darrel entered the U.S. Air Force in October 1964 and was stationed at McChord AFB, Tacoma, WA, and then Vietnam. He was a fireman on the flightlines and experienced many emergencies. While overseas, Darrel earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, and the Vietnam Service medal with two stars, among other medals and ribbons.
After four years of military service, Darrel worked various jobs around Jefferson. He worked many years for the Iowa Department of Transportation. After a disabling injury, Darrel retired and became involved in veterans’ affairs such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), where he worked his way up to the state Quartermaster, the American Legion and others.
Darrel married Stephanie Blasnitz and they were blessed with two children, Jeremiah and Katie. After Stephanie passed unexpectedly in 1999, Darrel married Sandra Barthman.
Darrel is survived by his wife Sandra; his children Jeremiah and Katie; his sisters Janet Fedders of Fort Dodge, Kathryn (Kit) (David) Huntley of Ogden, and Dorothy (Tom) Thorpe of Scranton; and numerous other family and friends.
Darrel was a master rug weaver and loved to garden. He enjoyed life on his acreage on the south edge of town and the wildlife that came with it.
A Memorial Service for Darrel Stephan will be July 14 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. A burial service will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Jefferson following the memorial service. The military burial service will include the United States Air Force Honor Guard from Offutt AFB, and military honors will be presented by the Jefferson American Legion and VFW. Immediately following the burial service, a luncheon will be served at the VFW Post 9599. Everyone is welcome for refreshments and conversational memories.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the discretion of the family, the Arbor Day Foundation, VFW Post 9599, or the Floyd Brown American Legion Post 11, both of Jefferson.
Darrel will be forever missed by anyone who knew him. He touched so many in so many ways and will be missed by all.
