Darrel Lockwood, 76, of Palmer, Neb., died April 25, 2012, in Omaha of natural causes.

Darrel was born in Grand Meadow, Minn. on Jan. 21, 1936, to Charles and Evelyn (Norby) Lockwood. He grew up in the Grand Meadow area and graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1953. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1957 with an agricultural degree, and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rhoe Fraternity.

He married Dianna Kroll, and the couple moved to North Platte, Neb. for a short time, then back to Kenesaw. They lived in Iowa for five years, spending time in Grand Island, Iowa and Alda Iowa for a short time, then moving to Marquette, Iowa for a few years. During that time, Darrel worked in feed sales. In 1973 the couple bought a farm north of Palmer. They lived there for 32 years, for nearly 30 of which they had a large hog operation. Later, Darrel worked briefly for Swift & Company and Dinsdale Brothers before having his trucking company, Lockwood Transport.

Darrel was a member of the Palmer Flying Club for many years and enjoyed being a local pilot. Once health reasons prevented him from flying, his hobbies consisted of traveling, reading, news and the markets. He was involved in farming until his death.

Darrel is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, James and Taffy Ann Lockwood of Palmer; one sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Loren Nelson of Rochester, Minn.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen and Gerry Brown of Omaha; two nephews and two nieces; 11 grand-nephews and grand-nieces; one aunt, Ruth Kroll of Kenesaw, Neb.; many cousins; and a very special friend, Norma Wittmaack of Lincoln, Neb.