Obituary for Darrell L. Dupee

Darrell L. Dupee, age 73, of Arpin, entered eternal life the morning of Thursday, March 18, 2021.  A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, March 26, 2021, at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield, WI.  The family will receive relatives and friends starting at 2:00 pm.  Masks will be required for the visitation and service. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. Chaplain Kristen Nelson DeYoung will officiate.

Darrell was born August 29, 1947, in Marshfield, WI to Laverne and Marguerite (Craft) Dupee.  He grew up in Arpin, WI, and graduated from Auburndale High School in 1965.  After graduation, Darrell entered the US Army and served in Korea from March 1966 to December 1967.  Upon returning from Korea he moved to Broomfield, CO where he met Judy Hennessy.  Darrell and Judy were married in May of 1970 in Broomfield, CO, and lived near Denver until 1978 when the country boy from Wisconsin won out and the family moved back to the Arpin area joining Darrell’s parents and eight brothers and sisters.

Darrell worked in road construction for many years at Kraemer and Trierweiler Construction. Despite having to work away from home many weeks of the year, he still found time to coach his kids, go fishing and waterskiing, make sure there were snowmobiles and dirt bikes to tear around the fields with and plan weekend camping trips to BMX races, Motocross races and basketball tournaments all across the Midwest.  The annual road trip to Colorado for some Spring skiing always brought special memories to the whole family as well.

Over time, those activities faded away and he found his new calling as a Grandpa.  It was a role he was well suited for and when he wasn’t down on the ground wrestling, he was baiting a hook, roasting a hot dog on the fire pit, or getting laughs from his endless supply of riddles.  He attended dance recitals, school holiday programs, plays, concerts, and sat on the sidelines of more sporting events than we can count.

Darrell cherished his big extended family.  Not only did he have a built-in crew for games of sheepshead and RISK, but someone was often stopping by for a visit.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand and loved doing so for his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, whenever and wherever needed.

Darrell is survived by his wife Judy, of Arpin; his children Christine Esser of St. Louis, MO, Marc (Kathy) Dupee of New London, WI and Steve (Sarah) Dupee of Manhattan Beach, CA; his eight grandchildren, Nicole Esser, Jillian Chansomphou, Bret and Will Stenson, Braden, Olivia, Norah and Leo Dupee; and three great-grandchildren, Lola and Vivienne Potter, and Kai Chansomphou.  He is further survived by brothers and sisters, Rollin (Sharon) Dupee, Kenny Dupee, Diane Fox, Donna Haasl, Shawn (Penney) Dupee, and Sheryl Baker, along with many nieces and nephews, and dear in-laws.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Terry and Danny.

While dealing with his cancer over the past six months, we asked Dad if there was any advice he’d like to pass along.  He chuckled and said, “Take life slowly and enjoy every minute.”  We also asked if there was anything, in particular, he’d like us to say about him someday when he passed on, and in his typical humble fashion, he simply said, “I tried to be a good man.”  Job accomplished Dad.  You were a good man indeed, and we’ll all try to slow down and enjoy every minute until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to one of two organizations supporting things Darrell cared about… kids and his cat Louie.  Contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org, or to the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter at www.marshfieldpetshelter.org/donate.