Darwin TeBeest took great pride in administering the Montevideo Scholarship Fund for 48 years. His passion for the fund began when he was in high school. At that time, a funeral director in Watertown, South Dakota, Joe Messer, asked the school if there was a deserving student who needed financial help to attend college. The school recommended Darwin, and Mr. Messer generously provided the support he needed to pursue his degree. When Darwin later asked how he could repay him, Mr. Messer simply told him to help others. Inspired by that advice, Darwin dedicated himself to growing the Montevideo Scholarship Fund so that more students could fulfill their dreams of continuing their education after high school.

In an effort to continue Darwin TeBeest's legacy with the Montevideo Scholarship Fund, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the “Mr. T” scholarship fund. This online fund, as well as any other donations, will be used to directly impact the lives of Montevideo High School graduates for years to come.

Darwin TeBeest died Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at CCM Health in Montevideo at the age of 85.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Rev. Donald S. McKee will officiate, and interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 16, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. There will also be visitation at the church for one hour before the service.

For more information on Darwin's upcoming funeral and other ways to give, please visit www.andersontebeest.com