Darrel Edward Snell died in the early evening, Sunday, the 2nd of February 2025 at the age of 91. Darrel was born in Spooner Wisconsin in April of 1933 to Edward and Georgia Snell. The majority of his life was spent in and around Spooner. Raised with four sisters, all of whom preceded him in death, living both in the town of Spooner and then a small farm west of Spooner on Tower Hill Rd.

Darrel loved sports as a kid and after the chores were finished on the farm, he made time to play football, basketball and baseball for the Spooner Rails. After high school Darrel attended the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. He excelled at football and met his wife Joan (Reiten) while attending the University. After college they moved to Balsam Lake and then Abbottsford for brief teaching and coaching stints in both places before returning in 1958 to Spooner where he remained for the duration. Darrel was hired by HJ Antholz, who in that genre was a firm handed leader in the Spooner School District.

During his tenure in Spooner, Darrel coached football, basketball, track and baseball. His passion was always with football and in 1970 led his squad to a Conference Championship. There were no divisions in football in 1970 and his team was ranked highly in the state in an all-division standing.

After teaching for 12 years, Darrel became the Spooner High School Principal in 1970 and remained at that post until his retirement from the school system in 1990.

Darrel loved his hunting and fishing and in later years was able to enjoy it with not only his boys but with his grandkids.

Darrel is preceded in death by his parents, his four siblings, his son Edward and his wife Joan.

He is survived by Sons, Joe (Julie) of Spooner, Dan (Gloria) of Sussex and Steve and Patty Mann of Cumberland. Grand children, Kara (Kelsey) Monahan, Zak Snell, Matt, Mason, Riley Snell, Chris Mann and Sarah (Ryan) Farr. Darrel is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Keaton Monahan and Addison and Adrian Farr.

Pallbearers for Darrel’s ceremony will be his grandchildren along with honorary pallbearer, Tom Gossen.

Visitation will be from 1pm to 3 pm on Saturday, 8 February in the Antholz Gymnasium at the Spooner Middle School, followed by the ceremony, led by Glenn Anderson, a life long friend, fellow coach and Spooner teaching staff legend.

Last Update: Feb 04, 2025 1:00 pm CST