Many of us may remember the movie Monty Python's Life of Brian (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python%27s_Life_of_Brian). Brookings recently lost a more memorable Brian in Brian Darnall (https://www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com/obituaries/brian-darnall) , brother of Sherry of our class and the longtime owner of Medary Acres, beginning his career there in 1971. (If part of the picture is not visible, just click on the picture and it will show up by itself, I think and hope)
Medary Acres is a well-known greenhouse in the area, and supplies an untold number of local and perhaps some no-to-local residents with numerous plants, flowers, and vegetables for their beautiful gardens. For a few months every spring, the greenhouse is a beehive of activity as people are trying to design their garden plots for the maximum beauty and productivity. As Brian was known to say, "Plant early and plant often."
Medary Acres began in 1952. This link tells of its origin and its growth: https://siouxfalls.business/business-blooms-as-medary-acres-greenhouses-enters-third-generation/
Their website can be viewed here: https://medaryacres.com/. Many other sites can be accessed by an internet search, such as https://medaryacres.com/about-us/. A recent article in the Brookings Register had a brief story highlighting the opening of the business for the 2026 growing season: https://www.brookingsregister.com/2026/04/07/medary-acres-preps-for-new-season-in-brookings/
Although my personal connections to Brian were rather few, his daughters were students of mine when they were in middle school. They seemed to have inherited the same traits that made Brian such a well-respected person. He always seemed to have a smile and was very compassionate and caring in his relationships with others. I believe his daughter Samantha (Sam) is a physician, while daughter Sarah will inherit the business.
The links above express better than I can what a wonderful man Brian was. His influence in the Brookings community was portrayed by the overwhelming number of people who attended his funeral. The Methodist Church was practically standing room only. The eulogies by Calla Hogue, a longtime friend of Brian and the family, and by his daughter Samantha were touching and heartfelt, and brought more than a few laughs from the congregation.
Our condolences to Sherry on the loss of her wonderful brother.
