Daryl Eugene Durum

Daryl Eugene Durum was born on October 15, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Norman and Viola (Wheat) Durum. The oldest of four children, he had three younger sisters: Barbara, Shari, and Karon. Dad graduated from Johnson High School in 1958 as class valedictorian. He spoke fondly about his high school days during the 1950’s.

In fact, Dad met our mom, then Judy Larson, at a community youth group function held at a local church in 1957. They married on August 12, 1960, just shortly after mom graduated from high school. He and the love of his life were married 65 incredible years. Together, they enjoyed many adventures including raising three children, traveling the world, and sharing their mutual love of education, history, and the arts.

While attending the University of Minnesota on an academic scholarship, Dad worked nights at Brown & Bigelow in St. Paul, which is also where our Grandpa Norman worked. He joined the Air Force prior to his last semester, but was released a month later due to a staph infection in his leg. This prevented him from participating in the Vietnam War, and they settled into a new home in Woodbury. Their family expanded with the births of Robyn, Kirstin, and Derek.

Following college, dad began an extended career with All Nation Insurance Company, and later acquiring National Family Insurance Company. He was excited about joining All Nation, a young company, due to its leadership potential and flexibility, and his prediction was correct. He started as an underwriter and was soon promoted to President at the age of 29. After nearly 30 years, he moved on to serve as COO at NAU Insurance Company in Anoka where he officially retired in 2007. However, that didn’t actually stop him from working. He continued his passion for leadership by serving as a member on the Board of Directors for the Medica health insurance company from 2001 - 2016.

Dad also devoted much of his free time to public service having been an active member of the Woodbury Jaycees, the Lions Club, and the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department advisory board. He served on the Board of Directors for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and he was appointed as Assistant Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of Minnesota.

Dad was elected to the South Washington County School Board for 15 years from 1977 - 1992. His supporters convinced him to run as he was known for advocating for the addition of the kindergarten program and led the charge to change the representation from five voting districts to at-large voting. He fondly recalled presenting high school diplomas to all three of his children. Dad enjoyed the political process and assisted friends with their campaigns as well. We think he secretly dreamed of being state Governor or the President of the United States, and we know he would have been excellent in these roles!

While Dad earned numerous awards over the years, he was quite humble and rarely spoke about his accomplishments. We know he was invited to the White House twice to discuss insurance

reform, but we’re rusty when it comes to the details. In any event, we firmly believe World’s Greatest Grandpa was his happiest achievement because the births of his grandbabies were among his proudest moments. He greeted each of his four grandsons into the world with a baseball and glove. He was eagerly ready to play as soon as these baby boys were big enough to hold a bat. And, he treasured his miracle granddaughter. As he watched all five grow from childhood into adulthood, he maintained a close relationship with each of his grandkids: Nick, Bradley, Dylan, Erik, and Abbey, always giving them his time to attentively listen about their exciting news or to offer guidance. Plus, he and Mom often traveled across town and even across country to attend their ball games, band concerts, graduations, and other major life events. Becoming a great-grandfather was an honor realized with the arrival of Owen, Nora, and Reed.

Through his children and grandchildren’s marriages, he formed special bonds with their spouses: Scot, John, Steve, Ellen, and Austin, and he treated them as though they were his own children. We know he is extremely proud to be watching over his growing family today.

We will remember Dad as an intellectual with a quick wit. When we were kids, Dad was always cracking jokes and telling us tall tales. He also shared his passion for all things sports. He played basketball and baseball in high school, serving as team captain for his high school team. We learned he won drag racing trophies as well. He rented a garage for his 1949 Plymouth where his friends performed the mechanical work, and he raced his hot rod at a track in White Bear Lake.

Dad especially enjoyed attending Vikings football games as a season ticket holder with his close friend and cousin, Bruce. During the non-home game days, you could find him in front of a TV intently rooting for the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, or favorite college teams all the while yelling at the referee, umpire, and coaches.

Mom and dad explored five continents on trips together with the company of family and friends. Dad shared that his trips to Australia, Turkey, and France were the highlights of his adventures.

Reading was another favorite past time. This included John Clancy type novels, history, political books, and biographies. Dad valued life-long learning. He earned his MBA while we were teenagers, and he always encouraged us to learn and grow and to follow our dreams. He was truly an outstanding role model.

To say Dad was frugal would be an understatement. Having been born during World War II, dad really learned how to stretch a penny. He was known to refreeze a leftover hamburger or to place a half-can of pop in a Ziplock bag to refrigerate it for later use. We can’t count the number of times we secretly dumped an expired carton of milk or sour cream down the drain. He was exceptional with finances, a truly excellent saver and investor, and we deeply admire his devotion to taking care of his family, including his parents and extended family members.

Our parents spent their winter months in Florida, and dad stayed active riding his bike and swimming daily. He and Mom visited the local library and theaters frequently for concerts and lectures. In fact, dad had such a busy schedule during his retirement, we often wondered how he ever had time to work in the first place.

However, Dad was the most at peace when he was at the lake cabin in Brainerd, Minnesota. He fondly referred to their lake property as home where he could be found passing the time on simple things like walking through the yard or enjoying a glass of red wine while looking out over the water. He had a hard time just sitting still so he was often picking up fallen tree branches or wading in the lake replacing rocks in the retaining wall. Unfortunately, his conscientious, hard work sometimes rewarded him with poison ivy, bee stings, scrapes, and sunburn. Swimming, boating, and fishing were his summer past-times, and shorts and polo shirts were his standard retirement attire. Our children have fond memories of riding a 3-wheeler with grandpa, steering his boat, learning to fish, playing mini-golf and checkers, enjoying special dinners at Black Bear, and roasting marshmallows over campfires.

Dad lived his final two years under the diligent care of Stuart Rehabilitation and Healthcare. We’d like to extend our sincere appreciation to the entire team for their gracious manner and expertise. He took his final breaths surrounded by loved ones.

Our dad often said his children and grandchildren were among his dearest friends. We couldn’t agree more. The day he passed from this life, we lost a very gentle man and the most caring and devoted father anyone could imagine.

You will live forever in our hearts, Dad, and we will continue to feel your presence in the gentle breezes along our beloved lake. Your memory will live on through the amazing family you and Mom created and among the fellowship of our extended family and friends.