Darrell Virnig

Darrell Ray Virnig, 72 died Friday, March 8, 2013 in Highline Nursing Home, East Wenatchee, WA following an extended illness. He was born November 19, 1940 in Toledo, WA, to Ray Burkman and Alice Rose (Larsen) Dodrill. Following his mother's death, Darrell was adopted and raised in Wenatchee by his aunt and uncle, Henry and Goldie (Larsen) Virnig. Henry and Goldie were orchardists and started Darrell picking cherries in the orchard when he was very young for 4 cents a pound. The Virnig family loved the outdoors, so family trips hunting for morel mushrooms and an annual elk hunting camp were highly anticipated annual events. Many weekends were spent for years setting up elk camp at the fork of Colockum and Naneum roads. Darrell was an avid hunter but gave up hunting deer after bagging his first elk. Darrell and Elaine (Dodson) were married by Father Patrick J. O'Sullivan in St. Joesph's Catholic Church on December 16, 1961. They had two children Christopher Charles and Lisa Ann Virnig. Darrell later married Jean Bonn and had four stepsons; Chet, Ron, Brett and Dean. He was also married to Carole Young and had five stepchildren from that marriage; Carrie, Bob, Mike, Janetta and Amanda. Following graduation from Wenatchee High School in 1959, Darrell served 3 years in the US Army, stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Upon completing his military service he returned to Wenatchee and began working with his father in the family orchards. They farmed cherries, pears, red and golden delicious apples. Darrell loved being outdoors and pruning was his favorite job in the orchard, shaping the trees just right. He also worked for Helphrey Motor Freight and became the Terminal Manager for Silver Wheels Freight Lines. Darrell owned a tavern in Dryden, WA and later started commercial cleaning and yard care business, Dust Busters, in Wenatchee. Darrell was preceded in death by his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Robyn Virnig, and grandson, Kohlbe Virnig, his brother, Frederick Virnig, his parents, Ray and Alice Dodrill and adopted parents Henry and Goldie Virnig. He is survived by a daughter, Lisa Virnig Sawin and granddaughters Ava Sawin, Lyndenn (Josh) Knodel and Hannah Virnig. Military graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, East Wenatchee, WA with Father Tom Kuykendall officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Wenatchee Humane Society, 1474 S Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA.