Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Daryl Pranke
Daryl Pranke, age 69, of Cathay, ND, died Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at his home.
Daryl Vernon Pranke was born February 27, 1956 at City Hospital in New Rockford, ND. He was the first-born son of Vernon and Joyce Pranke. He was raised on the family farm, located in Section 29 of Bremen Township. He attended church with his family at Trinity Lutheran in Bremen, where he was baptized and attended Sunday school. On June 21, 1970 he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. There was never a dull moment growing up on the farm, many hours were spent riding bicycle with his brother Kevin, there were also ponies to ride, BB guns to shoot, snowmobiles to ride, and motorcycles too. As a young lad he played youth baseball in Bremen, and Legion baseball in Fessenden. He attended grades 1-12 at Fessenden Public School, graduating in 1974. As a Fessenden Oriole he participated in track, basketball and football. In 1972, he was a member of the varsity basketball team that made it to the state tournament. In 1973 he was a member of the 440-yard relay team that placed 4th in the state track meet. In football, he was all-conference all 4 years of high school and was chosen to play in the first North-South Shrine football game on August 10, 1974.
After graduating from high school, Daryl went to college in Wahpeton for one year and then worked building construction in Fargo. In the spring of 1977, Daryl returned to the family farm and started farming with his parents. In 1990, his parents retired and Daryl became the 4th generation on the Pranke farm that was homesteaded in 1888 by his great-grandparents. Daryl worked off the farm during the winter. During the winter of 1979-80, he worked for a carpenter in New Rockford, later he worked at seed plants in the area and then started driving bus for the Fessenden-Bowdon School, and he also worked as a CNA at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford. On May 26, 1984, Daryl married Nancy Paulson, they later divorced, and they have two children, a son Dane and a daughter Danell.
Daryl was a member of the men’s slow-pitch softball team in Bremen and also bowled in New Rockford and Fessenden. After helping on the farm while growing up and then 46 years of farming, Daryl retired after the 2023 farming year.
Daryl was a beloved father, grandfather, brother and son. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He was always up for a game of catch, bike ride, or walks. He loved watching his children and grandchildren’s sports or events. He never missed one. Daryl loved cars, family history, and the good old days. What we wouldn’t give for one last story.
He is survived by his son, Dane Pranke (Danielle Stubstad); his daughter, Danell (Kyle) Gauderman; his grandchildren, Rehgan, Rylie, Parker and Blake; one brother, Kevin; two sisters, Diane Nelson and Sharon Hass; a sister-in-law, Jodie Pranke; a brother-in-law Jim Hass; and his special friend, Lisa Bertrand.
Daryl’s Visitation will be Monday, from 1:00PM-5:00PM at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford.
Daryl’s Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford.
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our deepest sympathies during this time.
So sorry to hear about Daryl, he was a nice person and good friend of my Mom and Dad. He will be greatly missed. Dean Hagen and Hagen family
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family! Andrew enjoyed working for him. Think of you all!!
So sorry to hear about Daryl. So many memories of Daryl when we were young. loved going to the farm! Condolences Diane, Sharon, Kevin and families. RIP Daryl
So sorry to hear about Daryl, he helped me out tremendously with my farming also, was a great man and will be sorely missed, Condolences.
Sending heartfelt sympathy for the loss of Daryl. he was my classmate in Fessenden & a close neighbor. Occasionally we would go for a walk or ride bike. God bless you, Daryl!
I so enjoyed visiting with Daryl when he would come to visit his mother, Joyce. He was a good son and all around nice man. I am so truly saddened for his family. I know he will be greatly missed.
Such sad news about cousin Daryl. My sympathies to his siblings Diane, Sharon, Kevin along with his children, grandchildren and extended family. This is a terrible loss for all. I loved growing up with the Pranke family and going to the Pranke farm. We have wonderful memories of that time.
Daryl was a wonderful man. Although it has been many years since I have seen or talked to Daryl, we had a lot of good times, from playing softball at Bremen to Daryl occasionally working for me on the farm. Diane, Sharon, Kevin, I extend my sympathy to you and your families during this time of grieving. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest Condolences to Diane, Sharon, Kevin and family! Daryl was a very loving and kind person; a car enthusiast; and I enjoyed his friendship-talking about farm life, Pranke history and his love of his kids and grandchildren. I will miss Daryl and his smile so very much. RIP! Cousin Bruce
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was always kind and nice to me and a time I will never forget is driving the bus for us to the Peterson ranch by Velva. I think he enjoyed it as much as the kids and Mark Peterson offered the reins to him driving the team of horses. I’m so sorry to hear of this loss. May you feel the prayers lifted for you. Blessings
I grew up with Daryl and was a long time friend, he was such a good person and fun to hang out with. We will miss him alot! Prayers to him and your family.
Uncle Daryl I just can’t believe you are gone. I have so many fun memories with you as my uncle. I will love you always and will miss you greatly.
Our deepest sympathies to all of Daryl’s family. Glenn worked with Daryl one winter as a carpenter in New Rockford. We just last week had a nice visit with Sharon as we live in the same community in Az. May God give you comfort and peace.
So sorry for your loss! He was a wonderful person and a special bus driver! Loved by all! Prayers and sympathy!
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Daryl’s family at this time of loss. We have fond memories of Daryl’s visit to us in LA with my brother John Hitz. We celebrated New Year’s Eve together and they went to the Rose Bowl game the next day. We always had fun visiting with Daryl when we came back to the farm to visit John. He was a good man and we were so saddened to hear of his passing. Sending peace, love and strength to his family.
I am shocked – moved here 6 years ago and with the pandemic etc, didn’t see Daryl much. He was so much fun at the Historical Society meetings and each time I said I needed to go see him. Sadly, I didn’t. Among the closest physically of my neighbors. And so pleasant a man.
Sorry to hear about Daryl’s passing. Condolences to his family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God keep his arms around you in the most difficult of times. Blessings, LaVona, Sharon, Penny, Norma and Rita.
Sending love and sympathy to my friend Diane, Sharon, Kevin and the family. I hadn’t met Daryl by he was a nice looking man.
Our sympathy to Daryl’s family. He was a classmate and came to our 50 year reunion. So sad to think he is gone just a few months later. Heartfelt thoughts and prayers
God bless Daryl and his family. I attended school in Fessenden with Daryl and enjoyed a great friendship with him. May Daryl experience peace and peace to his family!
Daryl , what a friend he was. Always had time to talk. Such a good kind man. He would always tell me about his grandkid and kids, he was so proud of them. I really will miss our talks., I say talks because it was always longer than a visit with him. I will miss his smiling face. Just can’t believe he’s gone, way too soon for sure. God Bless his Memory.
My heart breaks for Daryl’s family and for Diane, Sharon and Kevin.
I loved the Pranke farm and the fun we had with our cousins!
I miss you all and will cover you in prayer. May the God of comfort, comfort you now.
Cousin Daryl RIP 🙏
Daryl was a wonderful childhood friend and a great “Class of ’74” FHS Classmate. So great to see him and everybody else last June at our 50th reunion. I will always remember riding the bus as a kid with Daryl and staying overnight at the Pranke Farm. What an adventure! Also the great BB games at the Bremen Elevator with Daryl, Kevin and the other “Bremen Boys!” RIP old friend.
As I came into the house last night. I looked towards the heavens and was wondering if there was one more star in the sky last night. Even if the stars were so far away their brightness and warmth seemed to reach us here on earth to make the night a little less dark. Sure, going to miss him.
We are so sad to learn of Daryl’s passing. I knew Daryl since first grade as we were classmates.
We’re so glad we saw him at our 50th class reunion last June and we saw him at a car show in Fessenden last fall. He brought his beautiful classic Chevy pickup. He was so proud of it. We had great visits with him both times, and It was always nice to run into him at the Wells county fair as well. Our heart hurts for his family, may you all find comfort in the great memories and may God bring you all peace.
Cousin Daryl, always had that sweet smile. He was 2 years older then me. I have fond memories of Daryl helping me ride those ponies on the farm when my mom & dad would bring us out in the summer. Wish we had stayed in contact more over the years, time slips away before we know it. Sending my love & prayers to Dane and Danell and beautiful grandchildren. Wish I could be there to help during these difficult times. My heartaches too for cousins, Diane, Sharon and brother Kevin. Much love. . . . .
I met Daryl 3 times when I was in Fessenden for the Well’s County Fair. He was a very nice person. Enjoyed visiting with him at his sister Diane’s house.
He will be missed.
Enjoyed working with Daryl at LHGS. He was a good worker and was proud of the care he gave his residents. Prayers for the family. Remember the memories.
No words to express how sad this makes me. My sincere sympathies to Dane and Danell, his grandchildren and siblings. He will always be fondly remembered by me and my family.
I remember Daryl from Bremen softball days (in the 1980’s) when he played with my dad, Jim Helenske. He was our neighbor a mile our farm (Helenske farm) when I was farming with dad. Daryl was a very nice man. My prayers and condolences. Take care of yourselves, your mental health and well-being.
I will remember Daryl as a quiet, polite and kind man. His eyes sparkled when he smiled. He had a good heart. My heart hurts for Daryl, his family and friends. My prayers that God will give you all comfort and peace.
So shocked and so very sorry for your loss and pain. Daryl was a quiet guy. I met him through the Halverson twins in Bremen. Our condolences 🙏.What a great guy he was! So 😭😢!
Daryl was such a nice, kind “gentleman”. I always really enjoyed visiting with him at church or wherever we’d run into each other. He will be missed greatly by a LOT of people…we need more people like Daryl in this world…a lot more.