Delvin "Del" Scheldorf

Private family services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio. The services will be livestreamed to Pedersen Funeral Home website and also broadcasted to the Our Savior's parking lot on 88.1 FM.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Delvin Jerald Scheldorf was born on June 27, 1933 in Graceville, Minnesota to Gerald and Doris (Bennett) Scheldorf.  He was raised on the family farm in Chokio, Minnesota and was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chokio.  Del attended Country School District #52 until the 8th grade and then finished high school, graduating with the Chokio High School Class of 1952.  Following his schooling, he worked for various farmers in the area and in Montana when he moved there for a few years near his aunts and cousins.  In March of 1956, Delvin was drafted into the United States Navy, where he was stationed out of Pensacola, Florida.  He was honorably discharged in October of 1957 and returned to Chokio.  While out with a group of friends, Del became acquainted with Caroline Quackenbush, a Chokio native.  The two began dating and were married on May 17, 1958 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chokio.  They made their home in Detroit Lakes for a short time while Del was driving bulk truck for the Big 5 Co-op.  After the death of Caroline’s mother in August of 1959, they moved back home to help on the family farm; her father died in November of that year, and they stayed in Chokio to care for two of her younger brothers and farm.  In addition to farming, Del worked for Tri-County Co-op.  In October of 1962, they moved to their current home; and in 2012, they sold their farm to their son, Jeff. Never really retiring, Del continued to help around the farm.

Del was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher and on the Board of Education.  He also served on the Board of Directors at Tri-County Co-op and was a member of the AmVets.  In his younger years, Del enjoyed baseball and playing on the Men’s slow pitch softball league.  He loved bowling and a good game of cards, especially with the “B” League at Old #1 and at the Senior Center in Morris.  His true passion was farming, and he cherished the time that he was able to spend with his family.

Del died peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, Minnesota.  He was 87 years old.

Del is survived by his wife: Caroline Scheldorf of Chokio; two daughters: Renee (Dennis) Gartner of Litchfield and Colleen Varnado of West St. Paul; one son: Jeff (Teresa) Scheldorf of Chokio; 11 grandchildren: Kurt (Hannah) Gartner, Erika (Andrew) Schilla, Justin Scheldorf, Jenna Scheldorf, Samantha (Nicholas) Bredahl, Christo Alexander, Phillip Varnado, Haley Scheldorf, Andrew Scheldorf, Kirsten Scheldorf and Colten Scheldorf; four great-grandchildren: Annabelle Gartner, Eliana and Connor Douglass, and Jack Bredahl; two sisters: Gerilee (Daryl) Zimmerman of Alexandria and Karen Morgan of Columbia Falls, MT; sister-in-law: Verna Scheldorf of Alexandria; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and extended family.  He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Jay; daughter-in-law, Glenda Scheldorf; brother, Keith; and brother-in-law Robert Morgan.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY PREFERS MEMORIALS IN DEL’S NAME.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Del.