Darrell Albert Lietz, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.
Darrell was born on May 20, 1928 to William and Martha Lietz near Maquoketa, Iowa.
Darrell and his twin brother were the youngest of seven children. After dropping out of school after the 8th grade, he found a way back to Maquoketa High School, where he discovered a love for language and ball sports. He graduated in 1948 with no particular plans, since a football injury disqualified him from military service, and further education was then unimaginable.
But thanks to the unsolicited intervention of a former teacher and coach, Tom Hanifan, Darrell boarded a westbound train to Estherville Junior College, where he would earn a teaching certificate. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1953, and would later earn a Masters of Arts from the University of Iowa in 1960.
Darrell devoted his professional life to education, first as an English teacher and coach in Estherville, Iowa where he met the love of his life, Ann Frances Swanson. The two married in 1957 and accepted job offers to teach at Williams Junior High School (English and Home Economics) in Davenport, Iowa.
When children arrived, Ann became a full-time homemaker and Darrell pursued his career in education. He served as Coordinator of English, then Director of Instruction, a role he held from 1975 until his retirement in 1993.
Darrell especially enjoyed his work with the Talented and Gifted program, and received the Iowa Talented and Gifted State Distinguished Service award in 1990.
Darrell was a devoted husband to Ann and father to two children: Pamela Rene and Christopher Scott.
Always the educator, Darrell facilitated substantive dinner-table conversations, where he was quick to point out and celebrate milestones and accomplishments wherever they could be found in the events of the day.
Darrell and Ann were forever affirming and supportive of their children, and lived frugally in order to send both Pamela and Christopher to Iowa State University.
Robbed of hearing due to childhood ear infections, Darrell adapted via hearing aids. When his total loss occurred in 1987, he continued to work, thanks to accommodations of the school district and Ann's patient help, along with the bit of lip-reading he picked up along the way. In 1997, he received a Cochlear Implant at the University of Iowa, restoring hearing in one ear. He continued to support hearing research and encourage others to consider Cochlear Implants for the rest of his life.
Darrell retired from DPSS in 1993 to a life of service, learning and travel. Darrell became a Master Gardener and he and Ann traveled extensively., Darrell spent more than 10 years as a volunteer for the Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), wrote his own memoir and then began to teach others to write their own life stories.
Darrell lived a life of faith. As young adults, Darrell and Ann were among a group of families called by the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church to charter Christ Church in Northwest Davenport, where they would subsequently raise their family. They would later return to their sending church, St. John's, where they especially enjoyed the music program and the "49ers"
Sunday School class. He was beloved by and active in faith communities in Davenport, Kansas City and Boulder.
Darrell loved his grandchildren beyond measure. He and Ann delighted in seeing their children become parents, and then in watching each of their five grandchildren grow into adulthood.
Graduations were the biggest event; nothing made Darrell happier than seeing a grandchild wearing a cap and gown.
Darrell and Ann moved to Boulder Colorado in 2021 to be near son Christopher and his family. After Ann's journey with Alzheimer's disease ended in May of 2021, Darrell continued to live a full life focused on his faith, his love of family, his enthusiasm for friends, and his passion for the Hawkeyes. He maintained contact with friends and family via email and his iPhone, both of which kept him interested and interesting right until the end.
Darrell is predeceased by his wife Ann. He is survived by his daughter Pamela (David) Berneking of Lampe, MO; Christopher (Marlys) Lietz of Boulder, Colorado and his grandchildren Ettie Berneking (Ryan Kelley), Ethan Berneking (Ashley) and great granddaughter Anderson, Emma Lietz Bilecky (Tyler), Calvin Lietz (fiancé Sarah) and Clara Lietz.
The family is deeply grateful for care provided by Sunrise Senior Living and Gateway Hospice in Boulder, Colorado, and the many individuals who cared for Darrell with such kindness over the past few months.
Friends near and far have been a gift to all of us, and we express our gratitude. A celebration of the life of Darrell A. Lietz will be held on Saturday, March 11 at Pine Street Church, 1237 Pine Street in Boulder, Colorado.
Darrell and Ann endowed a scholarship fund at Iowa State University to help students from Davenport or elsewhere in Iowa pursue teaching as a profession. During their lifetime, they were able to grant several scholarships and the ability to leave this legacy gave them immense pride and joy.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Darrell's passion for education through a memorial gift directed to the Darrell and Ann Lietz Family Scholarship, payable to the Iowa State University Foundation (2505 University Boulevard, P.O. Box 2230, Ames, Iowa 50010-2230, Condolences can be sent to the family 1/21/21/2 Christopher Lietz, 2065 Floral Drive, Boulder, CO 80304