Derwood "Woody" Newland, age 84, of Warba, MN died Sunday, July 14, 2024, at home.

Woody was one of 14 children born in 1940 to Charles and Rose Newland in Bagley, Minnesota. He grew up in the area, attending local schools, and graduating from Bagley High School. After high school he attended college in Bemidji, and eventually moved to Little Falls, where he started his long career with the DNR.

Through family contacts, Woody was introduced to Gail, and the pair married on June 10, 1962, and together they raised three children. Throughout his career with the DNR, Woody and Gail lived in St. Cloud, Park Rapids, Warroad, and finally moving to Grand Rapids. After his retirement in 1999, the pair travelled all over the United States and Canada.

Woody was always someone that lived in the moment by just watching and taking in your surroundings.  He was meek and humble and had a deep love of God that he shared with his family.

He taught those around him to find joy in the solitude and sounds of nature. He taught his family about birds, trees, and plants. His wealth of knowledge and passion for nature was infectious.

He always made each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren feel like they were the most important people in the world. Not by the words but by his actions and loving attitude. Whether he was playing card games, cribbage or fishing off the dock, his family was his world in those moments.

Woody enjoyed being outside, hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking; however, his hunts usually ended up just sitting, listening to nature and taking a nap. He was an avid rockhound, gathering and collecting rocks where his travels took him, and transforming them into jewelry and cutting them to see what surprise would be on the inside. Woody loved his family and shared his love of nature with them, he will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of almost 60 years, Gail; siblings, Phyllis, Arlene, Elroy, Garfield, Garnett, Calvin, Charles, Monroe, Mary, and Doreen; son-in-law, Wayne Hanson. Woody is survived by his children, Dena Hanson, Robin Washburn (Ben Johnson), Trent (Kathie) Newland; siblings, Michael (Arelene), Ronald (Peggy), and Dennis (Jeannette) Newland; grandchildren, Janna (Nathan) Lorenson, Zack Hanson (Krystle Klipping), Chelsie Hanson, Bailey (Tyler) Porter, Paige Newland (Jon Shoemaker), Colter (Amber) Williams, and Grady Williams; great grandchildren, Kylyn, Joslyn,  and Blake Hanson, Arlo Porter and Oliver Williams and also many Nieces and Nephews who he loved very much.

A brief service will be held on Saturday July 20, 2024 beginning at 11:00 AM at Hazelwood Cemetery in Blackberry, MN to join Woody and Gail together, followed by a celebration of life at his residence.