Darrell Howard Schlaegel

Darrell was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 7, 1960, to Donald and Marjorie (Coles) Schlaegel, and joined his older brother at the St. Paul home until the family moved to Lynnwood, Washington in 1966. Darrell attended school there and graduated from Edmonds Senior High School, in 1978.

Darrell tried several professions and then went to school at Shoreline Community College and transferred to the University of Washington. One of his college highlights was participating in the national concrete canoe competition, which was held in Orlando, Florida in 1998. He obtained his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering with a specialization in road transportation in 1999.

Darrell’s personal interests were varied, but motorcycle racing, and his dogs, Hawk, then Ranger, were his great passions. He attended motorcycle racing schools around the U.S. Despite numerous accidents over the years, one nearly fatal, he kept riding until an accident in September of last year destroyed his motorcycle, but he walked away! He rebuilt his small home in Edmonds from the foundation and studs up. He was meticulous in all details and excelled at construction work done right.

In 2007, he met Leslie Bellmer through a singles’ website and both knew by the second date that there was definitely going to be a relationship there. In January 2008, Darrell told Leslie that he thought it was “a matter of when, not if” they would get married. Things moved forward in reverse order from most couples, with the marriage date being penciled on the church calendar first, a joint shopping trip for an engagement ring, checking out honeymoon destinations, and then Darrell officially proposed in May 2008. They were married on February 7, 2009 in the church Darrell grew up in Lynnwood, Washington.

Neither spouse could sell their homes, due to the economy, and Darrell continued to work on the re-building of his home in Edmonds, while Leslie worked in Redmond, and visited Darrell on the weekends. Finally, after 3.5 years of marriage lived apart, with multiple health and job challenges, they were able to buy a home together in Woodinville.

The dream for Darrell and Leslie had always been to travel as much as possible. They were blessed by God to take 2 trips in 2019 – one to New Mexico, and one to Disneyland, before Darrell was diagnosed on January 15, 2020 with stage IV thyroid cancer. Darrell was always strong, courageous and hopeful that God would heal him, despite the advanced state of his cancer. He fought a valiant fight until the end. He stopped fighting what had become inevitable on Thursday, and peacefully stopped breathing on Saturday afternoon.

Darrell leaves behind loving family, including his wife, Leslie; mother, Marjorie; brother, David; nieces, nephew, aunts, uncle, and cousins, as well as his “Core Team” who loved, prayed for him, and supported him from his teens until the day of his death, and continue to care for his wife.

Anyone who met Darrell remembered him. Darrell was his own man and never wanted to be like anyone, except Jesus. Darrell was a man full of integrity. If anyone needed anything, he was always available to help. Whenever anyone called for help he made sure he did all he could do. He did many tasks for his mother, brother, nieces, and his father-in-law, when help was needed, neatly and accurately. “If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right.” He helped family members and friends move, build, install or set-up things for which they needed help. He drove by a young family begging on a street corner, with a tiny infant in a stroller. He stopped to talk with them, then told them to stay put, and he went to the store to buy diapers, baby formula, and some fresh food for the family. Three days before he was hospitalized with cancer, in the cold winter, he climbed on his father-in-law’s roof and cleaned the gutters in the rain. We later figured out he was so exhausted, he could barely walk before he climbed the ladder, and still had to drive himself 65 miles home after he cleaned the gutters, but he never complained. He was a unique, loving, strong man, who will be truly missed on earth, but many who were blessed to call him friend and loved one, will see him again in Heaven. His suffering is over, for which we rejoice, while we await our time to join him.

Darrell had the following words framed on his office wall:

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, and the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. (source unknown)