Darrell Desilets

Darrell Desilets, 46, of Mandan, passed away February 5, 2025, at Sanford Hospital, Bismarck, ND, surrounded by his loving family. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the Mandan Eagles Club, Mandan, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday. 

Darrell Wayne Desilets was born January 28, 1979, to LaRae Olson and Wayne Desilets in Williston, ND. They moved the family back to Minot at the age of 5, where he grew up and graduated from Minot High in 1997. Darrell was so kind hearted and always the protector from the start. He took pride in the big brother role to his little sister Elissa from the beginning all the way to the end. They have some pretty crazy childhood stories and memories, there was never a dull moment with Darrell, the protector!

He had many jobs and hobbies growing up, including buying cars at the auction and fixing them up even if it included a new paint job. His dad and him also bought and fixed up mobile homes together and later building new homes within Minot. Darrell also worked as a cook at Perkins and Ground Round, where he gained many many lifelong friends. He was always quick with his smart ass and witty comebacks and razzing the new employees. The memories those guys made have and will live on. A group of them decided to see what it was like outside of Minot and moved to Minneapolis. While there he worked on the barges, he loved talking about that time as a teaching moment for his kids to go out of your comfort zone and try new things.

After that adventure, he returned to Ground Round, but before returning a manager was telling Andy all about him! The rest is history obviously! Darrell was one to say he was never getting married or having kids, until Andy and McKayla (4 months old) came along, that little girl changed his heart and it was obvious to everyone! He took her in as his own from the beginning. He was her biggest supporter in all aspects of life, they had one hell of a bond. Then the big surprise came when they were expecting twins in 2005! Darrell was so excited to be a dad again, and especially that it was a boy and girl! From the beginning he was teaching Leelyn, his mini me, to be Mr. Fix it just like him and all about cars and trucks. Kaitlyn from the beginning had his quick wit, stubbornness, and exact same sense of humor always in a loving way, ripping on Leelyn together. Darrell and Andy were married February 6, 2006, at the Ward County Courthouse. After almost 10 years they welcomed Quinn to complete their family in 2015. She was daddy's little girl, always telling her to do her best at everything and anything she does in life. He was very proud of her basketball skills. It hurt that at the end he wasn't able to attend her games the last few months.

After the flood in 2011, they moved to Mandan and bought their first house and as a family turned it into a home. Many hours were spent helping Darrell renovating the house inside and out. Kids may have learned to never buy a fixer upper! He always talked about building us a new home out in the country so Andy could have chickens and he could have endless eggs! He nicely left us with many unfinished projects, in true Darrell fashion!

While in Mandan he worked as a salesman at Eide Ford Bismarck moving his way up to used car manager. In 2016, he left to have more time with the kids as they were busy with activities, because his kids came first! He got his realtor license and that led him into partnering up with a coworker starting TurnKey Homes. He loved being the general contractor, designing homes and building friendships with all that he meet thru those years. Due to his diagnosis in May 2023, he unfortunately had to step away.

Eide Ford graciously with arms wide open took him in as part time employee. He was so respected there and looked up to, always giving tips to the new sales people taking them under his wing and guiding them to be better. He left a lasting impression on them.

He loved being a gymnastic, diving, track and field, basketball, wrestling and football dad. Rarely missing a time to cheer and support the kids, he wore his Mandan gear with pride for those kids even if it meant hours in the bleachers or volunteer time. Family time was always important to him, so many memories were made on family vacations. Through all of the destinations he fell in love with the Black Hills. In recent years it became the spot of choice, he was able to go one last time in October. He also wanted to retire there. Darrell is so proud of all his kids' accomplishments over the years in school, sports and as they grow into the individuals they have become. He taught them so much about strength and resilience over the last 21 months. His positive attitude was so inspiring to everyone and truly helped him fight his fight. He gained his wings peacefully with his family at his side February 5, 2025.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Andy (Lindbo) Desilets; daughter, McKayla Lindbo; twins, Leelyn and Kaitlyn Desilets; daughter, Quinn Desilets; sister, Elissa (Joel) Rhoads and family Tegen, Lukus, Abby, and Noah; mother in law and father in law, Eileen and Lynn Lindbo; sister-in-law Cody (Rondel) Roteliuk and family Kyler, Mara (Zach), Rachel, Cody, Ryker, and Shep; brother-in-law, Lex (Jacey) Lindbo and family, Will and Taylor; several aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and coworkers. 

Darrell was preceded in death by his mother, LaRae Olson; father, Wayne Desilets; grandparents, Carol and Darrell Olson and Ruth and Aurice Desilets; aunts, LaVonne Hagens and JoAnne Olson; along with other extended family members

In lieu of flowers family would appreciate monetary donations to offset medical costs and funeral expenses. These can be sent to Weigel Funeral Home attention Desilets Family.

The Family would like to extend a huge thank you to the Sanford ICU staff and Child Life Specialist staff, Dr. Kurnali and the Sanford Cancer Center staff. They were top notch in making the last moments so comforting. Thank you to Eide Ford Bismarck for being so genereous not only working around all of Darrell's appointments but for providing the meal. Thank you to the Mandan Eagles for the space and helpers for accomodating us. Also, thank you to Weigel Funeral Home and Pastor Curtis Dikoff for helping us with Darrell's Celebration of LIfe Service. Lastly to all our family, friends and employers for their support during this difficult time. We truly have the best of the best around us.