Darrelyn Patricia Ettel Holzgang

January 31, 1935-May 17, 2021

Darrelyn Patricia Ettel was born in Klamath Falls and raised for most of her childhood in Medford. She was the youngest of three siblings born to Ralph Sr. and Mynette Ettel. She and her husband of 65 years, Curtis, were high-school sweethearts. Both went on to study at Univ. of Oregon. Darrelyn earned an education degree while Curtis completed a pre-med course of studies. Darrelyn taught for a few years at Ainsworth just before having the second of four boys. She left teaching to be at home and to care for friends’ children while making enough income to help put Curtis through medical school. She could certainly stretch a dollar. There were several grueling years as she almost singlehandedly raised the boys as Curtis in the early years would sometimes have to spend long hours at the hospital. She was a “selfless” person many would describe as a “saint”. Darrelyn’s friends say of her that she was a “genuine, authentic, strong and humble friend with no sense of pretension”. She had a unique sense of humor that would often catch us off-guard. For decades Darrelyn enjoyed sports including her competitive tennis group (she was competitive!) as well her 9-hole golf group. Most important were the deep enduring relationships emanating from both. She also valued her grade and high-school friendships as they purposefully enjoyed annual reunions at a variety of locations. In their later years, Curtis & Darrelyn enjoyed 3-4 months in Palm Desert which included special friendships they established there. After raising the family, they both enjoyed travelling with friends to visit Swiss relatives and enjoy multiple European destinations. On a couple occasions she travelled with friends participating in Volks Walks --most notably in Nova Scotia and the NE seaboard.

As Curtis said of Darrelyn, “I was the luckiest man in the world to have her as my wife. Any career recognition I ever received she was an equal participant”. Likewise, each of her sons could not have been more blessed than to have had Darrelyn as our mother. Survivors include: Husband Curtis, Michael (Lisa), David (Robyn), Mark (Karin) Chris (Mary Anne) Grandchildren: Amanda, Emily Campbell (Gavin), Matthew, Lauren, Avery, Madeline, Ashley and Jon. Great-granddaughter Mollie Jane Campbell.

A memorial service will be held at Sunset Presbyterian Church-14986 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97229 on September 10,2021 at 2pm.

There are links for memory postings at: www.youngsfuneralhome.org or please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits .

Remembrances can be made to the charity of your choice or Providence Center for Healthcare Ethics in memory of Darrelyn Holzgang. Checks should be sent to Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation,9205 SW Barnes Rd. Ste 2111 Portland, OR 97225 or online giving at https://give.providencefoundations.org/stvincent/ethics