Darrel Gene Trom, 64, died at his home Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, after courageously battling Glioblastoma brain cancer for 31 months.

He was born on Nov. 11, 1948, to Reuben and Lorna (Rabe) Trom, the sixth of 11 children. Darrel attended Dodge Center High School but graduated from the Southern School of Agriculture High School in Waseca, Minn., in 1966. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. He then attended the University of Minnesota — Waseca and graduated in 1974. In 1974, Darrel married Connie Sibenaller of Blooming Prairie, Minn. Very early, it became clear that he would not do well working for someone else, so in 1976, Darrel took over the family farm where he and Connie happily raised their three children, Jessica, Michael, and Allison. A farmer to the core, he thoroughly enjoyed planting and harvesting the crop. He approached farming with tremendous pride and determination. It was his personal mission to have the entire crop harvested and the machinery put back in the shed in time for deer season. Darrel was instrumental in the creation of Al-Corn Clean Fuels, a local ethanol coop. He served on Al-Corn’s Board of Directors from 1994 until 2011, when he retired due to his illness. Darrel dedicated a great deal of time and energy to Al-Corn because he believed in the benefits it provided for his fellow farmers. Darrel lived a full and joyful life. If he wasn’t farming, he was happiest fishing on Lake Wapisi in Ontario, Canada, or spending time with his brothers and cousins at their beloved hunting shack. Checking the crops in his Ranger, with his dog Sadie riding shotgun was his favorite summer evening activity. Darrel also enjoyed playing cards, reading, travel, and rocking babies. Every niece and nephew has at one time or another been quieted by ‘the baby whisperer’. He was a gifted engineer and could build or fix anything. Darrel had an unforgettable personality marked by his quick wit and mischievous sense of humor. He and Connie enjoyed the company of many lifelong friends with whom they shared infinite memories and laughter.  His large, loud brood of relatives also brought him great joy. No words can describe the tremendous hole left by this man who many would describe as larger than life. Darrel is preceded in death by his parents Reuben and Lorna Trom, sister Karolyn, brother David, and father-in-law, Greg Sibenaller.

He is survived by his loving wife, Connie, children Jessica and Chris Hultgren, Mike and Mandy (Deming) and Allison and Todd Gleisner; and the three little guys who brought him immeasurable joy his final months: Mason, Gage and Ty Hultgren. Darrel recently learned the happy news of two more grandchildren (baby Gleisner and baby Trom) on the way. He is also survived by siblings, Ron (JoAnn), Larry (Sally), Kaye (Orlo) Toquam, Karen (Ed) Olomon, Wayne (Rosalie), Kathlyn (Greg) Lea, Koryn (Myron) Smith, Cheryl (Fran) Coughlin. He is also survived by his Sibenaller family: Mother-in-law Clara, Corrine (Steve) Drexler, Lynn (Denise) Sibenaller, Michelle Fallahi and Hamid Fallahi, Tom (Karen) Sibenaller, Mary (Clark) Koenen and Mark (Nancy) Sibenaller.  All of his 38 nieces and nephews will miss Darrel and the special times at the farm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, officiated by Father Steve Peterson. Visitation will be at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. Military rights by Blooming Prairie American Legion Post 52. Memorials are requested to the Blooming Prairie Fire Department, the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group, the Owatonna Area Hospice, or the donor’s choice. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to the Mayo Staff, the Allina Hospice Staff and to our family, friends and community for supporting us on this journey. Online condolences maybe expressed at www.worlein.com.