Darrel Myron Meinke

Darrel Myron Meinke, age 96, passed away on July 2, 2025 in Lincoln, NE. He was born on June 19,1929 to Elmer E. and Leila H. Meinke in Plymouth, NE. He lived in the Plymouth area through 8th grade. His father was his teacher for all eight grades in a one room parochial school affiliated with Immanuel Lutheran Church. The family moved to Garland, NE when his dad accepted a call to be the principal of Zion Lutheran School. At this time, Darrel enrolled as a dorm student at Concordia High School which was associated with Concordia College in Seward, NE. He spent five years in Seward completing high school and his freshman year at Concordia College. The family moved again to Lincoln, NE when his dad accepted a call to be principal of Calvery Lutheran School. After high school, Darrel joined the National Guard and then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He took officer training in ROTC and was selected for the color guard which traveled with the University’s marching band, was a member of Pershing Rifles, a national honorary society; and was on the rifle team as an expert marksman. He also worked for the clothing store Ben Simon’s during his time at the University of Nebraska.

His first professional job was to start a one room school at Grace Lutheran Church in Platte Center, NE teaching all eight grades. This created a situation in which three generations of Meinke’s (Fred, Elmer, Darrel) taught in one-room Lutheran schools at some point in their careers. It was the summer after high school that he met his future wife to be (Lois Koenig) and started a courtship that ended in marriage on August 1, 1952, at Calvery Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE. The union was blessed with a son (Lance) during July 1953. Darrel taught in Platte Center for three years then accepted a call to serve as librarian and teacher at his alma mater Concordia High School, Seward, NE. He was appointed to Concordia College as the librarian in 1960 and stayed at Concordia until 1973. During the 18.5 years in Seward, Darrel completed two masters degrees and a doctorate degree; Doreen, Russ, and Troy were also added to the family. In 1973, Darrel moved the family to Moorhead, MN to begin a 20-year professional experience as the Director of Instructional Resources coordinating and growing the library and media capacity at Moorhead State University. In this role he interacted with many MSU departments and developed collaborative programs with other colleges/universities in the area. After retirement, Darrel and Lois moved to Sun City, TX where they enjoyed warm weather, new friends, and many activities. They moved back to Lincoln, NE after 15+ years in Texas to be closer to family as they approached or reached 90 years old.

Darrel had many avocations including hunting, fishing, reffing football and basketball, card games, Rowdy Bunch couples group, writing, plus directing and acting in plays. The theater was a special passion; during his life, he was involved in many plays as either an actor or director at the High School, College, and Community Theater levels. Both Darrel and Lois maintained an active role in the church wherever they lived serving in various capacities. They led very Christ-centered lives. Darrel used his artistic ability to design and make banners for various functions in church including many baptismal banners. Darrel served on synod-level committees that extended into retirement and was still active teaching bible class at 90 years old. Family was very important to Darrel especially doting on new grandkids or great-grandkids added to the extended family.

Darrel is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lois Meinke; his sisters Ardith Flachman and Marlene Short; his children: Lance Meinke (Lisa Silberman), Doreen (Tom) McMahon, Russ Meinke, and Troy (Julie) Meinke; grandchildren: Adam (Michaela) McMahon, Amy (Eric) Gowens, Kellie (Carson) Whiton, Rachel Meinke, Katie (Andy) Meek, Kyle (Hannah) Meinke, Kayla Meinke and Amber Meinke; great-grandchildren: Adelie, Ewan, Theo and Sophie; as well as other relatives and many beloved friends.

Service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/messiahlincoln