Darrell R. Jose, 74

Mankato – Darrell Richard Jose, age 74, of Mankato, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 with his wife and daughter by his side.

A Celebration of Darrell’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 4 p.m. at Woodland Hills Chapel in Mankato, with Chaplin Larry Kortuem officiating. Military honors will be held immediately following services at the funeral home. Following services the family invites guests to the Morson-Ario VFW 1900 N. Riverfront Dr., for dinner and celebration.

The Jose family will greet friends on Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. until the hour of services at the funeral home. Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato is assisting the family with arrangements.

Darrell was born May 19, 1946 to Donald and Marie (Fenton) Jose in Fairmont. Darrell grew up near Granada. He worked the family farm during his younger years and graduated from Granada High School in 1964 where he received awards playing football. After high school Darrell served his country in the Army National Guard for six years.

He was married on Feb. 3, 1968 in Guckeen, to the love of his life, Rita McGoff. They enjoyed playing cards, curling, golfing and traveling together with friends. They spent their retirement years in Apache Junction, Arizona.

While attending Minnesota State University, Mankato, Darrell worked as a cook at the Country Kitchen. He also worked for Clements Auto, National Bushing & Parts and Mankato Business Products. He owned Mankato Parts House (mph) and DJ Woodcrafters carpentry.

He was extremely proud of his daughter Lana and even prouder of his grandchildren Elizabeth and Mitchell and foster grandchildren Aliyah and Alex.

He loved fishing, playing cards, curling, hunting, football, going to casinos, and making Adirondack furniture and other projects with wood.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rita; daughter, Lana Marie Jose Eccles and son-in-law, Clifford (Boon) Eccles Jr.; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mitchell; foster grandchildren, Aliyah and Alex; foster great-grandchildren, Lyla and Brently; Sisters Donna (Eldon) Hovick and Sandy Clow; niece, Dawn Hovick and daughter, Danielle, niece Debbie Irmiter and her children, Micayla and Luke, and nephew, Doni (Kristi) Hovick and their children, Alyssa, Dylan, Wyatt, Jozie, Rachel, and granddaughter, Alexis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Marie Jose.