Darin Wernke

Darin Wernke, 58, of Davenport, IA passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the University Of Iowa Hospitals. 

Darin was born on April 19, 1966 in Dubuque, IA, the only child of Frederick “Fritz” Wernke and Mary (Cornwell) Krambeck. He grew up on the North End of Dubuque, IA, attended Fulton School, Jefferson Junior High and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1984. The day after graduation, Darin left for the Marine Corps in sunny California and stayed there 15 years. 

On May 5th, 2012 he married the love of his life, Kelly Flenker. They made a great team, bonded over similar backgrounds, their love of learning and their search for God. Together they built a successful Executive Recruiting Firm and a life they loved. 

Darin was sought out by leaders across the country, friends and community members alike for his special gift of council. His ability to help them discern through complicated situations, tell them the unfiltered truth, even when it was hard to hear, and then affirm them in their capabilities, earned him the respect and admiration of many.

His proudest moments, though, were the ones where he was bringing people closer to God, being a Godparent/Sponsor, “influencing” a friend to step up his spiritual game, and watching people he helped come into faith – whether that was through his involvement in CEW, as RCIA Director or as a family member, friend or colleague. 

He never forgot where he came from and owed much of what he became to the special influences of his beloved grandmother, Uncle Donnie, Aunt Mary, ”Blind Bob”, Frank and Joel, his childhood friends, coaches who cared and taught him discipline, his aunts, uncles and cousins who loved and supported him unconditionally, and beautiful souls like Paul Frantzen, a neighborhood man who took him under his wing and gave him a safe place for coloring contests, puzzles, and learning responsibility by caring for his fish.

Darin lived a life of strength, but could also be goofy too. He was athletic, a seeker of knowledge, relied upon for council, and did a wicked “Uncle Donnie” impression. He lived on a steady diet of “Peanut Butters” and loved eating sweets. Spoiling his dogs, power lifting and closing deals were his favorite pastime. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Those left to honor Darin’s memory are his wife, Kelly Wernke, Father and Mother-in-Law, Kevin and Corinne Flenker, Brother-in-law, Kalvin Flenker, Sister-in-law, Kourtney Johnson and Nephew, Winston Johnson. Surrogate Sister, Tammy Durham, Honorary Daughter, Trace Welsh. Three godchildren, Winston Johnson, Cassidy Koerperich, and Maelyn Welsh. Aunt Pat Wernke, Uncle Jack and Aunt Benny Cornwell and many loving cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Mary Krambeck and “Fritz” Wernke, his grandparents and many aunts and uncles. 

A special thanks to Trace for the many sacrifices you made to love and care for both Darin and Kelly during the last week of his life. And to Kevin, Corinne, Kalvin, Kourtney and Winston for all you did back home so Kelly could focus on loving her husband.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at St. Andrew Church, Blue Grass, IA. Funeral Luncheon will be in the Parish Hall directly after Mass. Private family burial at McCausland Cemetery following the Luncheon.

A visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Friday, August 16, 2024 at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home with Prayer Service & Rosary held at 4:00 pm. 

Memorials may be made to St. Andrew Faith Formation Team or Scott County Humane Society.