Darrel Lester Bonrud, age 44, of Baltic, SD, passed away Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Sioux Falls, SD VA Hospice Cottage.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 PM Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids, SD. Burial will follow at Oslo Cemetery rural Trent, SD.
Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral chapel in Dells.
Darrel Lester Bonrud, age 44, was born on October 8, 1981, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Jean and Darrel Bonrud. From his very first moments, Darrel made an unforgettable entrance into the world — requiring a police escort to the hospital and being wrapped in a pink blanket as the nurses playfully teased his father into thinking he had a baby girl.
Darrel passed away on May 1, 2026, at the VA Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, surrounded by love.
Darrel grew up in rural Flandreau, SD, and graduated from Flandreau High School in 2000. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving five years of active duty with multiple deployments. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and loved to joke that he jumped out of airplanes mostly because it paid more.
On September 4, 2004, Darrel married his high school sweetheart, Stefanie Houtman. Together they began their life in Fayetteville, NC, later returning to Flandreau, and eventually settling in Baltic, SD. They were blessed with two daughters, Hope Charlotte and Addison Marie, who were the absolute center of his world.
Darrel cherished watching his daughters grow into the incredible young women they are today. He loved coaching their sports teams and cheering them on through the years. A loyal Notre Dame football fan, he could be found every Saturday in the fall supporting his team with enthusiasm.
Known for his big heart, steady presence, and unwavering willingness to help anyone in need, Darrel was truly a friend to all. He loved deeply, lived boldly, and absolutely should not have been left unsupervised. With his mischievous spirit, colorful language, and remarkable ability to find laughter in almost any situation, he could turn the most unpredictable moments into stories that will be shared for years to come. Darrel was unforgettable—one of a kind in all the best ways.
Darrel is survived by his wife, Stefanie Bonrud; daughters, Hope and Addison Bonrud; mother, Jean Bonrud; sister, Julie Enstad (Ted); mother‑in‑law, Cindy Duffert (John); father‑in‑law, George Houtman (Ronda); brother‑in‑law, Jeremie Houtman (Marcia); sisters‑in‑law, Stephanie Carroll (Tim) and Tiffany Weiszhaar (Chad); nieces, Jadyn Houtman, Miley Houtman, Myra Enstad, Audrey Enstad, Whitney Carroll, and Teagan Weiszhaar; nephews, Ethan Houtman, Hudson Enstad, Henry Enstad, Waylon Carroll, Bob Carroll, and Tucker Weiszhaar; and countless additional family members and friends who were also considered family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Darrel Bonrud, and his grandparents, Lester and Melba Bonrud, as well as Jack and Wanda Meakins.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
— John 15:13
Celebrate a life with the whole community in The Dakota Scout. Contact obits@thedakotascout.com to have your loved one remembered today.