Darrell Russell Kinstler
November 06, 1934 - November 17, 2015
Obituary
MADISON - Darrell Russell Kinstler, age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, in his home at Artisan Senior Living in Middleton. Darrell was born in Williston, N.D., on Nov. 6, 1934, the son of Clarence and Bertha Kinstler. After college, he worked with his father in their sign painting business, Kinstler Signs. Darrell served in the U.S. Army and while on leave, met Rita Coe in London, England. Darrell and Rita married in Williston, N.D. on April 4, 1959. Together they raised three children, Liz, Kate and John. From North Dakota, they moved to Wausau and then to Madison. Darrell worked as a graphic artist for the Yellow Pages until he restarted 'Kinstler Signs' on his own. In 1998 he married Jackie Silas. Upon his retirement, they moved to Adams and spent their time "relaxing" with their precious cat, Cyrus. When Jackie passed away in 2012, Darrell moved back to Madison to be closer to his family. We're glad he did. God Bless You Dad! Darrell is survived by his loving daughters, Liz Potter (Kevin) and Kate Martinelli; son, John Kinstler; grandchildren, Dominic, Abby and Victor Martinelli and McKenzie and Sam Potter; Jackie's children and grandchildren; and many other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jackie; his first wife, Rita; sisters, Carmen (Kinstler) Fougner and Claire Kinstler; and niece, Tami (Fougner) Lobo. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 2:30 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
Events
Visitation
Fri Dec 4, 2015 @ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Fri Dec 4, 2015 @ 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
Memories
RS
Ron Scalissi
Other •
Sorry about your loss, Darrell was a great guy.
He did the lettering on our stock car back in the 70's and also made stickers
for our Go Kart later on.
Ron Scalissi
CC
Cyndi Craddock
Other •
So sorry for your loss, Liz, Kate and John. Darrell was a sweet man, and funny, and treated my mom like a queen. My girls loved their "Bumpa" and have missed him recently. So have I. I'm sorry I will miss the funeral due to work, but if I can do anything, let me know. Goodbye, Darrell, and thank you for loving my family as yours. R.I.P.
DS
David & Roseanne Silas
Other •
RIP Darrell...I hope you are dancing again ! A sweet & loving guy..condolences to his children & grandchildren. Love David & Roseanne Silas ♡
GF
Gene Fougner
Other •
Uncle Darrell was my first "horsie" when I was a toddler crawling around at 715 1st. Ave. East. He put up with me grabbing hold of his curly hair and giving me a great ride around the living room till it was time to go play with "Doggy Joe", the red Cocker Spaniel or watch the cukoo clock he brought from Germany. All this before he married Aunt Rita; before I even knew my cousins who were yet to be born. It would have been nice to have known him in later years but I'm glad he found his dream city of Madison, though he was greatly missed in North Dakota. He always said that Wisconsin was a lot like Germany, where he was located in the army. It was a joy to talk with him briefly at Aunt Rita's memorial a few years ago...he reminded me that he changed my diapers once upon a time. Good bye Uncle D. and my sympathy to my cousins especially- Liz, Kate, and John. It was great he was near the past few years.
Gene Fougner (son of Carmen Kinstler and Don Fougner)
JS
Joe Smith
Other •
Liz, Kate and John. Sue and I send our deepest condolences on the loss of Darrel. When we visited Jackie (my sister) we always enjoyed the time spent with Darrel. He shared Army stories with us and always had a smile on his face. He always struck me as a gentle man with a good sense of humor. He is in God's house now and I'm sure he has the same smile on his face that he always had. Peace be with you at this time. Love, Joe and Sue