Memories for Don

From: Becky (Backen) Nourbakhsh

Pat, Natalie, Kathy, Greg, Jamie & Matthew & families,
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Don. I have so many fond memories of times our families spent together and of working with Don. I pray you will find comfort in the fact that he lived life to the fullest and followed his passion of music throughout his life.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Becky

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From: Jack Hoeven

Deepest sympathy. Don was a fine and friendly man who I enjoyed visiting with.

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From: Mike and Michelle Church

We both knew Don while we lived in Minot. I worked at The Depot and remember knowing to always serve him a PBR. My husband, Mike, also knew him from there. They would play blackjack together sometimes. He was a sweet man and we'll never forget him. Our deepest sympathies are with you.

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From: Liz Rodriguez and Venus Chapter #14 OES

Pat and family our prayers and are with all of you at this time. May the good Lord be with all of you and give you peace.

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From: Gerald & Judy Whiteman

Our deepest sympathies to you, Pat, and your family. Don was our very good friend for all the years that we taught music in Bottineau. Condolenses to you and the rest of the family.

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From: Jim Knutson

Pat, Natalie, Kathy, Greg, James, and Matt: Many thoughts I have of Don and your family especially now. Don left a legacy of a very fine family, and an appreciation of music to many. It would be impossible to calculate the contributions to high school band students that he made. I also feel fortunate that I have two daughters that had him for their grandfather.

Jim Knutson

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From: Gordon Norman

We have lost a great friend, who always live in ours and my heart.

Gordon & Diane Norman

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From: Gordon Patten

To Don's Family Don was like a Big Brother to me. He was always there to help and give in so many ways in my life as a Music Director in N.D. Yes! we will miss him!

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From: Allen

My deepest sympathies to the Darling family. Don Darling was simply the BEST. Don introduced me to the flute years ago, as Rolette's best Band Director. This was when Rolette's band was a feared contender as one of the State's best. Don's parents ran the local theater and Mobile station for years. Don introduced his students to the highest quality of music, since he was a pro himself. His teaching made a penetrating long-lasting impression on hundreds of students and in music, leaving that legacy for life-long appreciation of music. His students walked about like little soldiers, for this was in the days when children respected their teachers and elders. Rest in Peace, Don.

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From: Beverly(Lucht)Gehlken

Patty I am sorry to read about your loss. My sympathy goes out to you and your family. I pray you have peace and strength to get through this period of your life. Angels around you. Beverly

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From: Rand, Ann, and Devin

Rand sends his deepest sympathy to your family. His friendship and contact with Don through Greg over the years gave him an appreciation of the talents and humor that Don shared with everyone. We grieve with Greg over the loss of his father.

With love and support, Rand, Ann, and Devin Bertoch

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From: George Helm & family

I will always remember Don and what a great help amd a great friend he was to me though my years as a Music Teacher. He was appreciated and will be missed by many

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From: Bruce Holtan

My deepest sympathies to all of you for the loss of Don. I can't tell you how glad I am that the band had the opportunity to stop and see Don and play for a few minutes the last time we conventioned in Minot. What a treat for all of us!

Brother Tim called today and I told him what had happened and he also fondly remembered many nice times with Don - including the opportunity Don gave him with a really, really good deal on a Conn 88H when Tim was just a junior in high school.

These are always tough times and you need to trust that good thoughts are coming your way from my family and all the "guys in the band" and I hope it will help you get through this.

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From: Ralph & Anne Schneider

Our sincere condolences to the family members of our dear departed friend Don.

Ralph & Anne Schneider, Harlem, MT

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From: Mary Solomonson Pfau Miller

Don was so supportive of the Minot State College (at that time)band as a whole and each of us individually as students and then later as music teachers. I am so glad I had a chance to know Don.

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From: Weyburn and Mae Niewoehner

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From: Peter Knudson

My sincere sympathies to Don's family. This man touched so many people in his lifetime and left a positive mark on so many. As one of his pupils many years ago in Rolette, Don taught me not only how to play the saxophone but, also, how to march to the music. It was a lasting joy. To his family: know that he will be remembered.

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From: Bob,Ida,Carrie Landers

Our families have been close in so many ways over the years. Don was a good friend and mentor to Bob in his youth and continued to be our friend. He will be missed. God Bless his family.

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From: Marilyn Morstad

Dear Pat, Kathy, and family,

I was sorry to hear about Don. I had heard that he was in ill health. The days of band trips seem ages ago. We did have good times then. Music meant a lot to Don and Dave, and now they are both gone. My thoughts are with you.
Marilyn

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From: Rochelle, Rich & Casey Feldner

To the whole Darling family ~
Our deepest sympathy to all of you! Don was my "Dad" away from home! My fondest memory of Don was my first year of teaching. He came out to my school (Memorial Middle School on the MAFB)and introduced himself! It was on a Monday, he invited me to come and join the Minot Elks Band and I have been in the same band ever since! That was 25 years ago! He was an inspiration to me as a music educator and as a person. I am so sad, but do know that I am comforted by his dedication to the music world! Long live his memories!

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From: Janice(Tastad) Heinz

Dear Patricia and family,
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Darling was so full of energy, loved a good joke, and students were drawn into his love of music without evening knowing it. I so enjoyed the Jazz band he started. The music program has never recovered since he left. He was one great teacher!!!
Remember the good times and be sure to talk about them with the children.
Janice Heinz from Rolette

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From: Mark Anderson

I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to all the family for your loss. I am thinking of Greg and Kathy especially due to our shared music experiences that included the Elks Band.

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From: Sylvia & Marvin Domsten

We wish to express our sympathy to you all at this sad time. I remember the good old days at Rolette High when Don wss my band leader. And Bookkeeping teacher--remember babysitting for you guys in Rolette for Greg and Catherine. Love and Prayers, Sylvia (Peterson) Domsten and Marvin

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From: Gene Martel

I will always remember Mr. Darling as my all time favorite teacher back in Rolette. He kindled a love for music in me that lives on to this day. My
sympathies to the family.
Gene

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From: Jim & Saundra Van Strien

We just had an e-mail from Wilmer Marcil this morning notifying us about Don. We are truly sorry for your loss.
We enjoyed the chance to meet you both when we were in Minot.
You and your family will be in our thoughts. Take good care of yourself. We will be back in touch soon.

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From: Wilmer Marcil

All my sympathy to Don's family. I have had great respect for Don since I first met him during high school days in Rolette.

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From: Earl and Wylma Allen

Our deepest sympathies at this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.

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From: Dick Bratton

Dear Pat and Family,
It's hard to believe Don's gone. He was a friend for many years, someone I'll never forget. He was also exceptionally good at his job, a real pro. He will be missed.

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From: The Chandler Family (neighbors)

Deepest sympathy to the family. We will sorely miss our summer talks of garden growing and life experiences. You will surely be missed but certainly not forgotten. Patrice, Bob, Sydni, Tanner

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From: Roger Armstrong

Don had the most affect on my life during my high school days than anyone else. Don got me started in band while I was in 5th grade, and became a good friend. I was glad to have seen him at Rolette's all-class reunion and spoke briefly with him there. I still remember the many trips we took with him, traveling to various festivals, and in his own car, too. He will always be in my heart and I'll miss him, thank you..
Roger Armstrong
Solo trumpet
Rolette PHS, class of 1962

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From: Gwen Fox Schafer

Dear Pat and family, I read in the TURTLE MOUNTAIN STAR of the passing of Donald. I grew up with Donald and graduated from high school with him. I was fortunate to have seen him at the Rolette Centenial a couple of years ago. I send you my deepest sympathy in your loss.
I always remember him best as he played in the band and sold me ice cream bars from the gas station just down the road. My prayers go out to you. Gwen Schafer

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