Darwin Patzlaff age 50, of Slayton. MN. died Monday May 30, 2016 from an apparent boating accident. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Mitchell. Visitation will 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday June 10, 2016 at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Burial will be at a later date in Graceland Cemetery at Fulton.

Darwin Dale Patzlaff, son of Dale and Marilyn (Phinney) Patzlaff was born on May 2, 1966 in Mitchell, SD.  He attended grade school at Fulton and Farmer, SD, graduating from Hanson High School in Alexandria, SD in 1984.  He joined the SD Army National Guard after high school and continued as a guard member while in college.  He received his ROTC commission as a Second Lieutenant on graduation day and served in the 147th Field Artillery Unit until his discharge.  He graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.

After graduation from college, he began working for Schwan's Food Company in Marshall, MN.  He was currently employed there as Senior Systems Engineer and was a loyal employee for more than 27 years.

He lived in Marshall, Minnesota and later built a home on Lake Shetek near Slayton, MN in 2007.  He especially enjoyed boating, listening to music, and working in his yard.  He was very involved in his community, serving on several committees.  He was currently a member of the Shetek Area Water and Sewer Commission.

Darwin was co-founder of Jackals Gym in Marshall, MN.  The gym has been in existence for over 20 years, becoming world famous for producing local, state, national, and world champion powerlifters.  Darwin traveled the world to support his fellow lifters from Jackals Gym.

Grateful for having shared his life are his parents and his sister Stephanie Patzlaff, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ryan Patzlaff, and his grandparents, Norman and Eleanor Phinney and Therman and Helen Patzlaff.