LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On May 30, 2024, his 93rd birthday, Darrell Lee Mondfrans went to be with the love of his life, Norma, in heaven.

Darrell was born in Ogden, Utah to Pete and Ann. He was the middle son of three, his elder brother was Richard (Dick) and younger brother was Earl (Sonny).

When the boys were young, Pete and Ann moved the family to San Francisco. He loved to tell childhood stories of playing football in the park, stealing fruits from stands, running track and working on his first car, a 1921 Franklin that he purchased, not working, for $50.

It was while working under that Franklin, at the age of 15, that he first saw a pair of legs that belonged to Norma Basciani. Norma asked him for a ride in the car, and the rest is history!

At 19, Darrell and Norma married and bought their first home in San Francisco. They went on a honeymoon to Santa Cruz, and they returned home with 39 cents to their names.

Ten months later they had their first son, Gary. Two years later, they had their son, Ronald. In 1954, the family moved to San Bruno, where they spent the majority of their lives. Fourteen years later, they had their son, Kenneth.

Darrell worked a variety of jobs, and eventually, went to work for Cookson Rolling Door Co. He started as a shop helper, and he worked his way up through the shop to become the superintendent. He told many stories of playing blackjack with his coworkers on breaks, supervising 75 people, and hating paperwork.

After 40 years with Cookson, he opened his open business, Rolling Door Service. While working at Cookson, he also obtained his real estate license, and he began flipping houses before it was popular.

He served as a volunteer firefighter for five years in San Bruno. He would tell stories of rolling hoses, riding in parades and being awakened in the middle of the night to help at a fire. His favorite part about being a volunteer was going to musters where they competed with a 1929 LaFrance fire engine that he helped restore.

Darrell and Norma loved to travel to Lake County to play on Clear Lake and hunt. Friends and relatives would join the family to camp out, ski and play cards. The two loved to visit the different casinos in Lake County, and one of his favorite stories was winning a $1,700 jackpot at Robinson Rancheria.

After Darrell and Norma’s health declined, they moved full time to Lake County to live with Ken’s family.

Norma passed away on May 26, 2022, just four months short of their 70th wedding anniversary. Darrell mourned the loss of the love of his life, but he knew they would eventually rejoin each other.

He spent the last two years going to his favorite casinos, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, gardening and telling his stories to anyone that would listen.

Darrell was predeceased by his parents, Pete and Ann; his brothers, Dick and Sonny; his love, Norma; and his son, Gary.

He is survived by his sons, Ron (Lisa) and Ken (Wendy); his grandchildren, Christine Watts (Stuart), Jennifer Fosberg, Christopher (Candis), Matthew Ochoa (Jennifer), Matthew (Laura), Sarah Erlandson (Matt), Joseph, Brianna Odom (Connor), Darrell (Savonna) and Tyler Haskell; and his great-grandchildren, Matthew, Cameron, Christian, Landon, Leanna, Stephen, Alyssa, Charlotte, Karina, Eva, Landon, Steleena, Ava and Nora.

Services for Darrell will be held at Cypress Lawn on June 12 at 11 a.m.