Darrell Clarke Van Leuven

Darrell Clarke Van Leuven, age 82, of La Grande, died July 21, 2010 at a local care facility. A funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010 at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande. Viewing will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp.

Mr. Van Leuven was born on April 20, 1928, the son of Ira and Eva (Clarke) Van Leuven in Baker, Oregon. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Army in 1951. He served in Japan and Korea until his honorable discharge in 1953. He returned to Oregon after his discharge and on February 22, 1953 he married Peggy Joyce Ruberg in Pendleton. He worked in logging transportation and in 1958 they moved to Union. In 1961 they moved to Meridian, Idaho where he continued to be a log truck driver. He eventually purchased his own truck. In 1962 they moved to Great Falls, Montana and began long haul driving. In 1963 he began working for the Boise Cascade Corporation as a dispatcher of trucks. In 1970 they moved to La Grande where he served as terminal manager for both the La Grande and Elgin locations until 1985. After a short retirement he returned to work for Trebar Kenworth of Boise and fully retired in 1989. They purchased a summer home in Hope, Idaho on Lake Ponderay and he enjoyed many hours on his boat fishing the lake. They sold the summer home in 1995 when Peggy became ill. He loved to watch his son participate in pool tournaments and walked every day, up to 15 miles per day. In his younger years he loved taking road trips around the country. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include his son, Terry Van Leuven of La Grande; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Lori Van Leuven of La Grande; sister, Iris Howell of Rexburg, Idaho; grandchildren, Karrine Brogoitti, Keisha Van Leuven, Travis Van Leuven and Melanie Morton; 7 great grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; son, Doug Van Leuven and brother, Duane Van Leuven.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Van Leuven to the Oregon Cancer Society in care of Daniels~Knopp.

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