Apitz, Darell Frederick age 95, of New Ulm, died Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm, Minnesota. Funeral services will be 11 am on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Deb Bergstrand will officiate, and a private family committal service will be held later in Amboy. The New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard will provide military honors at the church following the service. Visitation will be from 9-11 am at the church prior to the service. Darell is survived by his wife, Lucy Apitz of New Ulm; sons, John (Mary Beth Magnuson) Apitz of Mendota Heights, Robert (MarySue Hagen) Apitz of New Ulm; grandsons, Nicholas Apitz and Zachary Apitz of Mendota Heights; step-grand-children, Melissa (Tom) Sunderman of New Ulm, Megan (Craig) Schwarz of LeSueur, Reid (Kimberly) Roebbeke of Hudson, Wisconsin; six step great-grandchildren; and special friends Clarence Bye and Percy Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, James Apitz; and sister, Miriam Apitz. Darell Frederick Apitz was born February 4, 1921 in Amboy to Carl and Laura (Mees) Apitz. He graduated from Amboy High School in 1939 and began his studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, later that year. After beginning college, Darell was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during WWII from 1942-1945 in the Army Engineering Corps. He came ashore on Normandy Beach on D+3 and was later stationed in Northern France, the Ardennes, and the Rhineland. After his military service, Darell returned to Macalester and completed his BA in Economics. He married Lucy Wiederhoeft on December 28, 1947 in Amboy. Later, he returned to school at Mankato State College where he attained his BS in Social Studies in 1958 and his Master's in Geography in 1963. Early in his career, Darell worked in retail clothing sales. After receiving his advanced degree, Darell taught geography courses at Mankato State as an Instructor from 1958-1969 and as an Assistant Professor from 1970 until his retirement on June 1, 1984. He was credited by his students with being tough, interesting and exceptionally well prepared. Each class had to be inspiring and every course meaningful. Darell was an early conservationist who loved exploring America's national parks, Europe's regional geography, the Mesabi Iron Range, the Minnesota River Valley and the Blue Earth River Basin. He was a scholar who listened well and was passionate about sharing what he'd learned with others. Darell was active in the church throughout his life. He sang in the Adult Choir of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Mankato for 60 years and served as a Church Elder. He read and pondered the Scriptures with family and friends. He put his faith forward and was generous with his time, talents and treasure. Most recently, he was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm where he regularly participated in Men's Bible Study. Darell participated in his community. He was an active member of the Blue Earth County DFL Party. He believed in social justice through personal service. He was a volunteer driver for VINE Faith-in-Action and served as a volunteer companion to mentally challenged adults through Blue Earth County Human Services and Lutheran Social Services of Mankato. He was also a member of the American Legion. Darell was devoted to his wife of 69 years, his boys and his extended family. And, they returned his love. He spent his final months at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm where he made new friends and will be deeply missed by staff and residents, alike. Although saddened by his passing, his family takes comfort in knowing that in life, Darell gave his all for his faith, his country, his friends and those who loved him most. Memorials may be sent to Our Saviors Lutheran Church in New Ulm, the New Ulm Medical Center Foundation or the Oak Hills Memorial Foundation. Condolences: mvfh.org