Darren Michael Lewis, age 38, of Austin, passed away  Saturday morning, September 24, 2011.        Darren was born March 25, 1973 in  Austin to Mike and Karen (Knott) Lewis.  He grew up in Austin  where he graduated from Austin High School in 1991.  Darren  double majored in Psychology and Economics, receiving his Bachelors  Degree from Mankato State in 1996.         On January 20, 2004 he married  Lindsay Leif, having a tropical wedding in the Dominican  Republic.  Darren was the owner of Lewis Painting in  Austin.  He was an extremely talented painter and well  respected throughout the area.  Darren loved his co-workers  and was proud to have such a talented team working with  him.        Darren was an avid runner,  participating in many races and marathons, starting at age nine and  being the youngest competitor to complete Grandma's Marathon, and  the second youngest marathon runner ever in the U.S.  Darren  was also a huge sports fanatic and you could always count on  him to know all the latest stats and scores.  He played  golf, volleyball and his most recent love...kickball.  His  smile lit up the room and he was a friend to everyone he  met.        Darren's true passion was his  family.  He had a special place in his heart for his brothers  and sister.  He was a devoted husband and loving father.   He loved spending time with his children and taking tropical  vacations with his wife.  You could always find Darren having  fun with the kids, whether it was wild rides on the family's four  wheeler, playing games, or attending sporting events.  Of all  Darren's accomplishments, he was most proud to be a dad, and he was  an amazing father.  He will be dearly missed by all his  children.        Survivors include his wife, Lindsay,  and their four children, Jayden (8), Kendahl (6), Lexi (4), Marek  (1), all of Austin; parents, Mike and Karen (Knott) Lewis, Austin;  mother-in-law and father-in-law, Paul and Deb Leif, Austin;  brothers, Scott (Debbie) Lewis, Austin, Brett (DeeDee) Lewis,  Holmen, WI; sister, Dana (Riley) Kvam, Minneapolis; brother-in-law,  Ryan (Briea) Leif, Austin; sister-in-law, Alyson Leif, Hollywood,  CA; grandparents, Joyce and Gordon Knott, Portland, OR; 11 nieces  and nephews; countless loving aunts, uncles and  cousins.        He is preceded in death by his  grandparents, Roswell and Ann Lewis; grandma, Alice Mae, and  GG.        A Funeral Mass will be celebrated  11:00 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at St. Edward's Catholic  Church with Father Greg Leif officiating.  There will be  a 6:30 pm wake service on Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home where  friends may call from 4-7 pm and also one hour before the service  at the church on Wednesday.  Interment will be in Calvary  Cemetery.
  
   
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