Darrell Leon Mickey

Darrell Leon Mickey was born to Coy Malone Mickey and Agnes (Cloe) Mickey on November 6, 1945, in Benkelman, NE. His life of 80 years ended suddenly Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Omaha University Hospital with his wife and children by his side.

Darrell grew up living with his parents and siblings, David, Sue, Coy, John, and Mary Emma, in Bird City, KS and later Atwood, KS. He loved growing up in Atwood. He did many things that the freedom of living in a small community allowed. He would fish at the lake that was a block away from his home after he helped weed the big garden that is. Darrell was lucky to have cousins that he could hang out with as well as brothers and sisters to show him the way, or maybe it’s better said “tag along with” since he was the baby of the family.

Darrell attended grade school and High School, graduating in 1964. He attended Fort Hays State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business. He traveled to Michigan, Seattle, and worked as a Mattel salesman.

Darrell married Natalie Jean Hand in 1976 and two children, Neil Wesley and Emily Faye, were born to this union, which would have celebrated 50 years on March 8, 2026. Darrell and his small family lived in Atwood, raising their children along with their parents Agnes and Coy Mickey and Rose and Cloyce Hand. He lived a happy life with his family working in construction building and remodeling many houses in partnership with Elliot Glad and later farming for Albert and Elliot feeding cattle and planting crops.

In July of 1995, Darrell moved his family to McCook, NE. While raising the kids in McCook, they enjoyed many of the things that the family was able to do like traveling and taking vacations to see family and friends.

Darrell was so happy to attend all the sports activities the kids participated in like basketball, volleyball, and football. They became devoted fans throughout the years. He was really proud of Neil and Emily in everything they did and the wonderful adults they became.

December 4th, 2008, was the happiest day of Darrell and Natalie’s lives. Their granddaughter, Leah Rose Zipperlen, was born to their daughter Emily Faye and her husband Derek Zipperlen. Getting to watch her grow was awesome, and so was watching her become more involved in drama, music, and art. She has a great ability to act and sing and even taught herself to play the guitar.

Darrell enjoyed his many trips to Canada with his brothers John and Coy and friends Mike Hayden and Norman Wendelin. This year he still talked about going hunting with Mike and taking his young dog, Lucy, to help with the hunt. There are many stories, too many to say, but looking at the wall of pictures displayed at home, they speak for themselves.

Darrell will be missed by many, but not forgotten. He loved his life with all of you, and of course his dogs Lucy and Tate. He was the love of Natalie’s life for almost 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws; brother Coy Mickey, and many close friends.

Survivors are his wife Natalie, of the home; son Neil Mickey and wife Tavie, of Palisade, NE; daughter Emily, her husband Derek Zipperlen, and daughter Leah, of Palisade, NE; brothers, David and wife Sherri, of Manhattan, KS and John and wife Betty of Ft. Collins, CO; sisters, Sue and husband Louis Tartaglione, of Fountain, CO, and Mary Emma and husband Pat Hurley, of Ft. Wayne Indiana; and many friends.

The funeral service will take place at 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood with burial in Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com