In Loving Memory
Darrell "Cotton" D. Kruckman
March 6, 1935 - April 1, 2017

VISITATION
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
5:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

SERVICE
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
10:30 A.M.
Zion Lutheran Church
Ruthven, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Tom Summerfield

INTERMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Darrell Dean Kruckman, son of William Charles and Effie Elsie (Henry) Kruckman, was born March 6, 1935, in Storm Lake, Iowa. As a little boy he was nicknamed "Cotton" due to his light blonde hair. He received his education at Webb Consolidated School in Webb, Iowa. After completing his education, Cotton enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

Cotton drove truck for a soft drink company delivering pop in the area. He also worked at the telephone company and did road construction in northwest Iowa. While working on road construction, Cotton's daughter, Deborah was born on March 5, 1956. The following day Cotton turned twenty one and was able to celebrate her birth.

Cotton was employed at the Spencer Packing Plant for nineteen years and was a proud of his Union membership. He was owner and operator of Kruckman Ag-Lime for thirty six years. During this time, Cotton did a lot of excavation projects and hauling dirt for individuals.

Cotton played fast pitch softball for the Spencer Budweiser team for many years. He was the catcher for the team.

Cotton was united in marriage to Tammy Myrl Austin on December 19, 1972 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They made their home in Ruthven where they enjoyed camping, having family and friends over for picnics and BBQ's. They loved all pets.

Cotton also enjoyed fishing and hunting, doing ornamental iron work and watching football and baseball. He was always ready for a game of cards, especially Pinochle and Poker (playing for money). In his younger years he was an avid bowler, attending several tournaments. Cotton was proud that he bowled several perfect games of 300. He traveled to Alaska to fish for salmon and when he was younger he enjoyed riding his Harley Davidsons. In the 1960s and 1970s Cotton was a stock car driver and attended the races at Jackson and Spencer. He always had a large garden each summer and was proud of the fact he taught his granddaughter, Briana to drive the "Blue Goose" (his favorite gravel truck), when she was only 3 years old. She would sit on his lap and drive the truck.

Cotton passed away Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa at the age of 82. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Waedith Kruckman; brothers-in-law, Bob Steinkamp and Wayne Hanson; sister-in-law, Judy.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy of Ruthven, Iowa; his daughter, Deborah "Deb" Usher and her husband, Jeff of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his special buddy and companion, Jake; one granddaughter, Briana Silver; two great grandchildren, Bryce and Dravin Silver; two brothers, Richard Kruckman of Primghar, Iowa and David Kruckman and his wife, Vickie of Dubuque, Iowa; two sisters, Ardyce Hanson of Newell, Iowa and Delora Steinkamp of Laurens, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home