Darold A. Bihrle

   Darold Allan Bihrle, 87, a longtime resident of Wheaton, MN, passed away March 13, 2024 at Sanford Medical Center in Wheaton.

   Darold was born July 9, 1936, in Sisseton, SD, to Harry and Amanda Bihrle, who moved to Wheaton shortly thereafter. He was baptized, and later confirmed in the Christian faith at Hope Lutheran Church in Wheaton.

   Darold graduated from Wheaton High School in 1954, participating in football, basketball and his favorite sport, baseball. A couple of years later he met his life-long partner, Connie Jacobson (WHS class of 1957), and they were married on Aug. 23, 1958.

   Darold received his pharmacy degree from the North Dakota College of Agriculture (now NDSU) in 1959, and started working full time for Larry Hokanson at Corner Drug in Wheaton. In 1969 he purchased the store on Wheaton’s Main Street, and was sole proprietor until he retired in 1993. He continued to take on pharmacy relief work in surrounding communities for many years.

   In addition to his work life, Darold was an avid hunter and angler, guitar picker, singer, golfer and sports fan. He also served as a volunteer fireman, was on the Wheaton Country Club board when the golf course converted from sand to grass greens, and attended and worshipped at Bethlehem Covenant Church, where for many years he organized a popular annual wild game feed.

   Darold is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Connie Bihrle of Wheaton; and six children: Craig (Liz) Bihrle of Park Rapids, MN; David (Michele) Bihrle of Rice Lake, WI; Becky Bihrle Keller of Minneapolis, MN; Carrie Bihrle of Flagler Beach, FL; Stefanie (Matt) Anders of Boise, ID; and Sara (Jeff) Ahrens of Madelia, MN. He was also an enthusiastic, proud and loving “Papa” to thirteen grandchildren: Laura (Marc) Orrock and Danny (Machen) Bihrle; Matt and Michael Bihrle; Clay, Britt and Hanson Keller; Lily and Henry Murphy; Sage and Evan Anders; and Eli and Ella Ahrens; and one great-granddaughter, Farris Bihrle.

   He is survived by brothers- and sisters in-law: Joey (Jacobson) and Tony Walthall of Baxter, MN.; Kerwin (Jacobson) Donat of Alexandria, MN; and Jill (Jacobson) and Ron McCullar of Wheaton; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Amanda Bihrle; father- and mother-in-law Lawrence and Dora (Bucky) Jacobson; sister Doris Moede, brother Don Bihrle, an infant sister, and brothers-in-law Neal Moede and Dick Donat.

   A funeral service for Darold is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton, with visitation at the church starting at 10 a.m.