Derwin Cammack

Derwin L. Der Cammack, age 76 of Mankato, died Monday, August 8, 2005 at Oaklawn Health Care Center in Mankato.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday at Messiah Lutheran Church in North Mankato with Rev. Donohue Sarff officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park in Mankato. Visitation will be held from 4 " 8 p.m., Thursday at Mankato Mortuary. Visitation continues one hour before services at the church on Friday. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association, the MN Music Hall of Fame, or to the donors choice.

Derwin was born March 14, 1929 to Erwin and Emma (Bogue) Cammack in Aurelia, Iowa. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1948. Derwin served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, playing in the Army Band. He was later employed with Katolight Corporation for 33 years. Derwin was united in marriage to Betty (Blume) Dimmel on December 21, 1973 in St. Peter. He was a past member of the Mankato Moose Lodge, American Legion Post 11, Elks Club, and the Eagles Club, where he was past president and a member of the Ritual team for many years. Derwins favorite hobby was being a musician. He played the bass horn (tuba) for 57 years. Over the years, he played with the Spike Haskell Band, Whoopee John, Elmer Scheid, 6 Fat Dutchmen, Katzenjamers, Eddie Skeets, St. Peter Mens Choir Band, Dixielanders, and many other bands. It was a great honor for him to be inducted into the MN Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

Derwin is survived by his wife, Betty Cammack of Mankato; two children, Carla (Sham) Persaud of Ames, IA, and Calvin (Mary) Cammack of Kasota; three step-children, Rick Dimmel of St. Paul, Jeffrey (Lynette) Dimmel of Shoreview, Lori (Owen) Dundas of Mankato; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one sister, Awanda Hed of Mankato; also two nieces, one nephew, and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Cary.