Theodore "Ted" Delzer

Theodore “Ted” Delzer, 99, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Dalton, died Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

Ted was born June 6, 1915 in Benedict, ND, the son of Henry and Katherine (Schock) Delzer. To this family, Ted was one of 11 children. He attended the McLean County Public Schools and participated in, among other activities, football, even with his slight stature of 125 lbs. He was characterized as “quick off the ball.”

During Ted’s early adult years, he worked in Minot as a dairyman and then in 1933 worked in Minot with the Civilian Conservation Corps. His various work experiences found him employed as a mason in Arkansas, grain farmer and a coal worker in North Dakota and a harvester of apples in the state of Washington. He also worked on the farm with his sister, Emily, south of Fergus Falls for four years before purchasing a farm north of Dalton in 1943 where he had a dairy farm. In 1948 Ted began the business he owned and operated as Delzer Construction with offices in Fergus Falls.

On March 23, 1940 Ted was united in marriage to Elsie Clauson in the Methodist parsonage in Fergus Falls. To this union, two children were born, Dennis and Barbara. After Elsie’s death, Ted married Marjorie Tenney on June 26, 1998 at Our Saviors-Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church in Dalton.

Ted was an active member of many civic, community and religious organizations. He served on the Country School District #19 School Board for 9 years, the Dane Prairie Town Board for 12 years. He was a charter member of the Lion’s Club, serving as District Governor and attending five international conventions of the Lion’s Club. Along with others, Ted organized the Dalton Enterprises Corporation and oversaw the building of an eight plex apartment building, 5 new homes and a 17 unit trailer court. Ted was also president of the First State Bank of Dalton for 17 years, which is now Midwest Bank. Ted was an active member of Our Savior’s-Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church in Dalton, serving on council as well as president of the Parish Council.

He moved to the Sheridan House in Fergus Falls in 2004 and became a resident of the Broen Home in 2009.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wives, Elsie and Marjorie; daughter, Barbara Frigaard; brothers, Henry, Reinhold, Edwin, Christ; sisters, Amanda, Molly, Minnie, Emily, Betty, Lorraine.

Ted is survived by his son, Dennis (Sandy) Delzer of Dalton; grandchildren, Trina Delzer of Chaska, Todd Delzer of San Francisco, CA, Kyle (Christy) Frigaard of Dalton; four great-grandchildren, Teddy, Chandler, Emily and Kellen Frigaard. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Sunday, October 26, 2014 with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 1 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2014 at Our Saviors – Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church in Dalton.
Clergy: Reverend Thomas Junkert
Interment: Our Saviors Cemetery in Dalton
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.