Please click on the video tribute below to view Pete's funeral and burial videos.

Darrell Wayne "Pete" Speer, 76, Felton, MN, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Friday, September 3, 2021.

Pete was born on August 16, 1945 in Hawley, MN to Donald and Ellen (Goranson) Speer. He grew up on the farm south of Felton and attended grade school in Averill. His father changed school districts, so Pete attended Felton School and graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1963. For a short time he attended Moorhead State College, but then enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served 4 years at Lackland AFB, and Myrtle Beach, SC, and finished his service in the Aleutian Islands off the Alaska Coast (and very near Russia) for a good share of his service time. He was a fireman. He was very proud of his time in the service to our country.

After coming home he again enrolled at Moorhead State but then decided he would rather see more of the United States as a truck driver for the Gilbert Osmundson Trucking Co. in Averill, MN. He also worked for the Victor Leeby Company in Fargo with his friend Arlin Klevgaard. He later tried his skills as an apprentice electrician in Lake Park, MN.

Pete married Cheryl Ingebretson on April 3, 1971. They lived in Moorhead, Felton, and Lake Park. They later divorced.

Pete reenlisted in the Air National Guard in Fargo and served as a fireman in that unit. He was very proud of this time of his life as a Guardsman.

Pete married Debra Thomas in June of 1977.They bought a home on the Minnesota side of the Red River in north Moorhead, in the area known as Oakport. They had two children, Jeffrey Ellis and Margaret (Maggie) Susan. Pete and Deb later divorced.

After retiring from the Guard, Pete worked at Trollwood Village in North Fargo as a janitor and handyman. The Village allowed him to interact and fall in love with the elderly people he worked for. He really enjoyed this job. Later he also worked for the Oasis Convenience Store just across the road from his house.

Pete rediscovered and fell head over heels with his former high school classmate at a class reunion. He loved "his Carol." They were a dedicated couple for many years.

Pete's north Moorhead home became one of the buyouts after one of Fargo Moorhead's great floods. He purchased the lot of his former farm mailman and his wife, Roy and Dagne Christianson. He designed and had a manufactured home built and moved back into Felton around 2012.

After years of a long-distance romance, Carol moved back to Felton from Minneapolis. She purchased her "Uncle Kermies" house in town and Pete helped her make it into her "little playhouse." Carol passed away unexpectedly on January 10, 2021. Pete was devastated by the loss of his beloved Carol. During much of this time with Carol he rebuilt his relationship with his children, Jeff and Maggie.

He enjoyed spending time and experiences with his kids and was extremely proud of them both. When Jeff married Dominique, Pete loved the fact that she was handier with tools than his son was.

He also became close to Carol's children, Jo, Becca, and Nathan. He adored her grandchildren also. He loved playing games with them and was really amazed when those "little kids" beat him.

Pete organized reunions for his high school buddies every year during Felton Field Days. Carol, Maysie, Gayle, Liz, Orma, Larry, and Daryl are a few who especially come to mind, but there were so many more who enjoyed those parties.

Pete is survived by his son, Jeff (Dominique) Speer, Fargo, ND; daughter, Margaret (Maggie) Speer, Dilworth, MN; brothers, Bruce Speer, Lake Park, MN, Lynn (Carolyn) Speer, Felton, MN, and Joe (Kolynn) Speer, Ulen, MN; sister, Carol Speer, Felton, MN; aunts, Lenore Holmgren (age 102), Lake Park, MN, and Lillie Hilgers (age 99), Moorhead, MN; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends, especially Maysie, Brent, Liz, Larry and more.

Preceding him to Heaven are his parents, Donald and Ellen; his beloved Carol; nephews, Duane and Christopher Speer; grandparents, Emil and Hulda Goranson, and Horace and Caroline Speer; aunt, Darlene Goranson; uncles, Alf Goranson, John Holmgren, and Wally Hilgers; brother in law, Larry Lien; sisters in law, Mary (Speer) Hilde, and Leslie Speer; first wife, Cheryl Ingebretson; and way too many friends to name. God bless them all.

Celebration of Life: 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church.

Inurnment: 3:00 PM, Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Felton Cemetery, Felton, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online for the family.