Darrell Cross

Darrell Robert Cross was born on June 20, 1945 to Clifford (Bill) Cross and Marjorie Aileen Bollhoefer Cross at Skiff Hospital in Newton, IA. Darrell grew up in Baxter, IA and graduated from Baxter High School in 1963. He attended the University of Iowa for one semester before transferring to Iowa State University. In 1966, Darrell enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany with the 6th Engineer Battalion until he was discharged in January of 1969. On August 9, 1969, Darrell was united in marriage to Lauretta Kay Pittman at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton and the couple made their home in Des Moines. Darrell resumed his studies at ISU while working as a bricklayer for Cross Building & Supply with his father. On September 25, 1970, John Denver Cross was born into the family. Darrell graduated from ISU in May 1972 and the family moved into their first home which Darrell & his father built in Baxter. Darrell worked for the Baxter insurance Agency and served a term on the Baxter City Council. On June 13, 1974, James Darrell Cross joined the family. In 1975, the family moved to Iowa Falls and Darrell went to work for J. I. Case as the business manager. Over the next several years, Case transferred Darrell & family to Cedar Rapids and then to Elk City, OK. Rather than move again to Kansas, Darrell went to work for Otis Engineering, an oilfield company. This enabled the family to put down roots and stay in Elk City for 12 years. In 1990, it was time to return home to Iowa and the family, minus John who was in college, resettled in Des Moines. Darrell was the business manager for Holy Trinity Catholic Church for several years before going to work for the VFW of Iowa, where he worked until he retired. After retirement, Darrell continued to pursue his love of reading & studying, especially in the areas of theology & philosophy. He was a self-taught artist working in watercolors and woodcarving. Darrell & Kay enjoyed frequent trips to Colorado and overseas, traveling to Ireland, Germany, Paris, & London. Even after Darrell's diagnosis with Alzheimer's and he had to give up driving, Darrell & Kay were able to make two trips back to Estes Park to enjoy the place they felt most at peace. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Bill & Marjorie Cross, his in-laws, Fred & Betty Pittman, and his sister & brother-in-law, Diane & Denny Hanson. Those left to honor Darrell's memory include his devoted wife, Kay, of Des Moines; sons and daughters-in-law: John and Laura Cross of Normal, IL, and James and Mary Cross of Denver, CO; 4 Grandchildren: Danielle, Joshua, Aidan, and Autumn; his sister and brother-in-law: Susan and Denny Mooers of Carlisle, IA; his half-sister Sandra Sandfort of Ames, IA; his sister-in-law: Luanne (Mike) Fitzpatrick of Newton; his brothers-in-law: Fred (Bonnie) Pittman of Ankeny, and Rick (Kathy) Pittman of Newton. Those who best knew Darrell appreciated his wit & odd sense of humor. We will be celebrating his life on August 9th, the 50th anniversary of Darrell & Kay's marriage. Visitation will be at 9:00 with the Funeral Mass at 10:00 Mass at St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus Catholic Church (1230 Merle Hay Rd. Des Moines, IA 50311). Coffee & donuts (Darrell's favorite) will be served before leaving for the internment ceremony at the Iowa Veteran's Cemetery in Van Meter, IA. Memorials in Darrell's name may be made to St. Theresa's Foundation or VACIHCS (VA Volunteer Services). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Wreaths Across America, an organization that places wreaths on Veteran's graves during the winter holidays.