Darwin Gitch, 72

Aug. 18, 1946 —
March 2, 2019
 
Sumner - Darwin L. Gitch, 72, of Sumner, died Saturday, March 2, 2019, at his home in Sumner, Iowa surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services were held on March 5, 2019, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sumner, with Rev. George Volkert officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Lutheran Cemetery of Sumner Township. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. 
Darwin Lee, son of Arnold and Laura (Meyer) Gitch, was born on Aug. 18, 1946, at Mrs. McIntyre’s Home in Sumner. He was baptized on Sept. 6, 1946 and confirmed on April 10, 1960, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sumner. Dar attended the Sumner Schools with the class of 1964. 
Upon graduation, he served with the United States Army from Nov. 15, 1965 until being honorably discharged on Aug. 21, 1967. On Jan. 10, 1970, he was united in marriage with Deborah Marie Field at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charles City, Iowa. They are the parents of three children, Brian, Sara and Jessica. 
Darwin worked for Avco Finance, Sam’s Clothing and his father, Arnold Gitch, at Rock & Lime. He later purchased the business from his father. In 1988, he began a new career as a sales agent for Banker’s Life & Casualty (where he earned many awards) and then continued as an Independent Insurance agent. 
On May 19, 2004, Darwin was paralyzed. His determination, great attitude and his faith in God gave him many great years of joy. He loved watching his favorite sports teams, the New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers and Iowa Hawkeyes. He served as an Elder at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, was on the Board at Camp IODISECA and was a board member for Sunset Theatre in Sumner.
Dar is survived by his wife, Deborah of Sumner; son, Brian (Raquel) Gitch of Sumner, and their children, Trenton and Lily Bartlet and Sasha and Antonio Gitch; two daughters, Sara (Travis) Lee of Apple Valley, Minn., and their children, Spencer and Emersen Lee, and Jessica Gitch and friend, Martines Booker of Apple Valley, and Jessica’s son, Ethan Wood and daughter, Jaelin Booker; sister, Pat (Jim) Yulga of Anthem, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Joan Meyer of Sumner; half-brother, Richard (Connie) Bittner of Portland, Ore.; sisters-in-law, Dolores Abel of Arizona, Donna (Larry) Stewart of Charles City, Dianne Harrold of Charles City and Dixie (Jack) Dunagan of Mason City, Iowa; niece, Janette Abel (who has graciously spent the past two years assisting with Dar’s care) of New River, Ariz.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Laura Gitch; parents-in-law, Emory and Florence Field; brother, Larry Meyer; sister-in-law, Darlene Lyman; and brother-in-law, Bill Harrold.
 
 

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Breaking News feed