Obituary of Steven Martel Darst

Steven Martel Darst (69) lifelong resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at Benewah Community Hospital on June 13, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Martel and Helen (Maloy) Darst on September 2, 1951, in St. Maries, ID. Steve grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1970. Following high school Steve attended the University of Idaho for 1 semester before he decided college was not for him and he would rather be working. He started painting houses, and then went to work at Potlatch Corp. He retired from Potlatch in 2000 due to his Epilepsy. On March 10, 1976, he took Lou Derry on a date in Spokane to a movie and dinner. They became best friends and fell in love marrying on April 2, 1977 and were still best friends 44 years later. Steve was an avid outdoorsman. He specifically enjoyed hunting, fishing, and backpacking, a passion that he passed down to his children. He also loved gardening and spent many hours weeding his garden, so it was perfect. He grew many vegetables including asparagus and his beloved corn. He was a perfectionist in the yard and everything in his garden was immaculate. He also played golf, horseshoes, corn hole, and shot trap. He was a lifelong member of the St. Maries Gun Club, and back in the day held the 1985 state bowling championship. He was a talented bowler playing on the Idaho State Championship team and also coached Pee Wee Bowling to the kids of St. Maries. His grandchildren were the greatest joy of his life, and every one of them had him wrapped around their fingers. Steve was a simple and private man who loved sitting on his front porch feeding the birds and enjoying life. Steve is survived by his wife Lou at their home in St. Maries; children Derek and Michelle Darst and Evan and Erika Darst all of St. Maries; brother Tom and Lisa Darst of Kingston, ID; sister Sherry and Kelly Grof of Dalton Gardens, ID; his mother Helen Darst of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Martel Darst and sister AnnMarie Darst. A memorial service will be June 19, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries, ID. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow. The family suggests memorials to the Epilepsy Foundation (epilepsy.com) or American Cancer Society (cancer.org).