Darren Edward Tehven

Darren Edward Tehven, a loving husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and fantastic friend passed away Thursday morning, January 7th, in his home in Lenexa, KS.

Darren was born in Fargo, ND, on July 15th, 1969, to parents Lowell and Darlene (Huff) Tehven and lived in Fargo and graduated from Fargo North High School in 1987. Darren earned a drafting degree from Moorhead Technical College while working part-time for Crary Co. He then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Construction Management at North Dakota State University. After graduating from NDSU, Darren began his construction management career at Black & Veatch, an engineering and construction firm in Overland Park, KS. He earned an MBA from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, in 2001. While completing his MBA he received the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Certificate of Entrepreneurial Achievement.  In 2005 he moved on to Burns & McDonnell, most recently to APEX Power & Process Solutions.

Darren was athletic and a lifelong sports fan. Growing up, he loved playing baseball and hockey, and when he wasn’t working or at school, you could find him at Roosevelt Park playing in pick-up games with the neighborhood guys. He was an avid golfer, a sport that he and his wife Shelly enjoyed together, and a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs and Bison football fan. Darren was also a skilled woodworker, a talent passed down from his father and grandfather. He contributed many of his beautiful woodworking pieces to his church, First Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, MO, and family and friends.

Faith was central to Darren, and his involvement in his local church bore testament to that. Among the many ways, Darren developed and matured in his faith while teaching Sunday school, participating in Focus Ministries, and taking theology classes at Nazarene Theological Seminary to better understand scripture and the centrality of God’s role in our lives. It was important for Darren that he grew in his reliance upon Christ to sustain and uphold him through the ups and downs of life. It was through this church involvement, where he met his wife.

Darren met Shelly Curtis in 2006, and they married in November 2008. They enjoyed many activities together, especially their vacations at their favorite spot, Mackinac Island.  In most recent years, they were kept entertained by their rambunctious french bulldog, Macks, and spent many holidays, birthdays, and vacations with their nieces and nephews.

Life experience and devotion to God helped shape Darren into a very spiritual and insightful man while also being a trusted mentor and dedicated friend. He was patient, generous, and thoughtful about his advice to his close friends and family, especially to his nieces and nephews. He graciously and authentically gave the gift of his time and insight to anyone who needed help. Darren was one of those who raised the energy level in a room. He had a twinkle in his eye, an infectious smile, a mischievous nature, and was always willing to throw out a self-deprecating comment to lighten the mood or break the ice and let us not forget his awesome garlic bread that would wow any garlic lover.  Darren will be greatly missed!

Darren was preceded in death by his parents Lowell and Darlene. He is survived by wife Shelly (Curtis) Tehven; daughter Shannon Koupal; grandchildren Maddie and Connor Koupal (Shannon); sister Larisa Tehven; stepmother Ilene Tehven; father and mother-in-law Lyle and Dilda Curtis; in-laws Mike Timmer (Larisa), Tim and Cindy Simms, Kent and Laura Kunzler, and Tim and Aimee Curtis; nieces and nephews Nick and Sydney Swanson (Larisa), Kaleb and Samantha Bryant (Laura), Rachel Kunzler (Laura), Lillian, Colin and Lidia Curtis (Tim); grand nephew, Kade Bryant (Samantha); and Goddaughters Ella and Sadie Courter.

The family will have a service to honor and celebrate Darren’s life in the spring.