Darwin "BoyBoy" McArthur Sr

Darwin “BoyBoy” McArthur, age 87, of Ogema, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at his home.

Darwin was born on April 30, 1938, in White Earth, to Samuel and Margaret (Andersen) McArthur. As a young boy, he attended White Earth Mission School and later Waubun High School. In his youth, he delivered the Grit newspaper to more than 60 households and served as the batboy for the White Earth baseball team, where he was given the nickname “BoyBoy,” a name that stayed with him throughout his life.

At the age of 17, he convinced his father to sign for him, and he enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served four years aboard the USS Valley Forge aircraft carrier. Following his service, he returned home and married Marge Teiken on August 1, 1959, at St. Benedict’s Church in White Earth. Together they shared nearly 65 years of marriage until Marge’s passing in 2024.

BoyBoy worked a variety of jobs throughout his life, including Lakes Plumbing and as a bartender at the Ogema Liquor Store. He later began a long and dedicated career with the Becker County Highway Department, where he worked for 35 years. During that time, he also served as a heavy equipment instructor at the Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech while also volunteering for the Ogema Fire Department. Even after retirement, Darwin continued to stay active, operating a road grader during the summers for Teiken (Bud Teiken) Road Maintenance.

He found great joy in hunting, fishing, wild ricing, and playing Old Timers softball. BoyBoy also spent time running a small hobby farm and took immense pride in maintaining his home—whether mowing the lawn or plowing snow.

BoyBoy and Marge raised four sons: Darwin “Darb” (Jean), Joseph (Diane), John (Lisa), and David (Natalie), all of Ogema. He is also survived by former daughter-in-law Theresa (Bud) Teiken of Waubun, sister-in-law MaryAnn Teiken or Ogema, as well as numerous grandchildren: Tanya (Travis) Gary, Tracy (Jesse “Horn”) Lhotka, Justine (Jason) Wambach, Marie (Mike) Brevik, Kellen (Julia Heim) McArthur, Ryan McArthur, Caitlin (Jordan) Johnson, Rachael (Max Pinske) McArthur, Rylee McArthur, Cora McArthur, Lucas (Amy) McArthur, Chelsey (Keith) McArthur-Warren, Jordan (Paulette) McArthur, Maggie (Dylan Thompson) McArthur, Jenna McArthur (CJ Manning), and Dylan McArthur. He was further blessed with 40 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marge; his parents, Samuel and Margaret; his brothers, Eugene “Didums” McArthur and Samuel “Bud” McArthur; and his sisters, Catherine "Ainee" Clark, Gloria Berry, and Marcella “Doll” Berry.

Darwin will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his strong work ethic, and the pride he took in his home and community. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.

The family would like to thank HIA Hospice; nurses Joanna and Maia, White Earth Home Health; nurse Veronica Kuhlmann, and all of the family and friends for their sincere care of BoyBoy in the last months of his life. Extended thank you to White Earth ENP and drivers Connie and Chico for the daily meals he received.