Darwin Hughes

Darwin “Dar” “Poppy” Hughes, 70, of Wyoming, Minn., and Ventura, Iowa, a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother and proud veteran, passed away on Nov. 11, 2016 at the home of his daughter, Pam.

A celebration of Darwin’s life was held at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, Forest Lake, Minn. Interment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Hughes Foundation, Veterans Memorial Fund or a charity of choice.

Darwin was born on Oct. 24, 1946 to Weston and Ada (Shahan) Hughes. He attended schools in Belmond and Clear Lake and joined the Navy during the Vietnam War, serving aboard the Valley Forge.

He spent many years working in the Twin Cities in apartment management and maintenance with his wife, Joanne (Budd) Hughes.  After her passing, he moved back to Clear Lake where he met and married Janette “Jan” (Pralle) Marcus. They made their home in Ventura, where he loved watching the activity on the lake. Being retired, they enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends. Darwin was a member of the VFW in Clear Lake and of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Garner.

He is survived by wife, Janette; children, Rick (Kathy) Budd, David (Donna) Budd, Shelly Watson, Pamela (Philip) Doran, Scott Budd, Becky (Morley) Rendmeister; Jan’s stepchildren, Don Marcus, Audrey Schumacher, Kathy (Marvin) Calhoun, John Marcus; 18 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Lyle (Margaret) Hughes, Linda (Gene) Helland, Paul (Judy) Hughes, Becky (Steve) Frerichs; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by wife, Joanne; parents, Ada and Wes; siblings, Lee, Gary, Keith, Barbara Pals, Virginia Mennenga; Jan’s stepson, Stan Marcus.