Darwin Frank Beintema, 87, died Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.

Memorial services were Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Will Funeral Chapel, with burial and military rites at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation was Friday, Feb. 9, from 5-7 p.m. at the Chapel, with a prayer service beginning at 6 p.m. Arrangements were under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Darwin R. Beintema, son of Frank and Lakota (Lambrechts) Beintema, was born Aug. 20, 1930, in Twin Brooks. He grew up in Twin Brooks until the age of 12, when he moved with his family to Woonsocket. Darwin attended school in Woonsocket before entering the U.S. Army.

Darwin was united in marriage with Maria Lichtenstern on Aug. 2, 1958, in Schonbrunn Bavaria, Germany.

He served 20 years in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany and Austria, Kansas, Korea, White Sands, N.M., Kentucky, Vietnam, and Maryland, and was honorably discharged in 1972. After his discharge, Darwin and Maria lived in Letcher from 1972 to 2006. While in Letcher, Darwin was employed at Dakota Manufacturing for 10 years.

In 2007, the couple made their home in Mitchell.

Darwin enjoyed gardening, fishing, traveling and reading.

Darwin is survived by his wife, Maria Beintema of Mitchell; one daughter, Gabriele (Dr. Robert) Snortum of Sioux Falls; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Myron (Kyong) Beintema of Sioux Falls, and Roland “Slim” (Patty) Beintema of Sioux City, Iowa; one sister, Velma (Louis) Tuecke of Garnavillo, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Franziska (Hans) Kock of Wiesen, Austria; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Karen; a brother, Milo; brothers-in-law, Roland Prince, Dennis Conner, Philipp and Joseph Lichtenstern; and his in-laws, Anastasia and Joseph Lichtenstern.