Delbert Lewallen passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the age of 96 in Cando, ND. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Christian Fellowship Church in Cando, ND with Pastor Jeff Peters officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.
The service will be livestreamed on the church YouTube page at:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCkYqz4gdUCZ4rjR8bjNUI_A
Delbert was born January 4, 1925 to Dan and Fannie Lewallen in the farmhouse south of Bisbee, ND. He spent his childhood on the family farm with his brother and sister. He attended Hardwheat School through grade 8 until he started full-time work on the farm. He was active at the Zion Church of the Brethren and in the community. On October 20, 1947 he married the love of his life, Beverly Smeltzer whom he grew up with in the community and at church. With Beverly by his side, they raised five children on this third-generation farm growing wheat and barley crops, raising dairy cows and beef cattle, pigs, chickens, and tending a huge garden. Besides his farm duties, Delbert was active in the Cando Church of the Brethren, as a deacon, church board member, men’s group and Camp Mon-Dak leadership roles, and served as representative for the Northern Plains District. He also served as a trustee on the board of McPherson College, McPherson, KS. As a result of his farming knowledge, he was invited to serve on the Bisbee Elevator board and ND Barley council. Beyond farming, his responsibilities included volunteering with the Bisbee Fire Department and serving as a volunteer ambulance attendant. Delbert had a vision to build and establish a legacy to pass the farm on to the next generation. He planted trees to strategically establish shelter and protection, positioned buildings, increased the layout with a leg system, and added roadways and water systems in order to make his old homestead progressive and modern. In the late 1970’s his son, Bruce, joined him in the farm operation however he continued to remain active and interested. He loved time with friends and family, fishing, camping, boating and water skiing, snow plane, fox hunting and annual hunting trips. Winter months gave him time to join the Cando bowling league, Bisbee curling club, and drive a Cando school bus. Delbert and Beverly helped restore the southern US following Hurricane Hugo with their handyman and cooking skills. Having inherited property in Florida, Delbert helped build houses on the land which was then donated to Habitat For Humanity. They enjoyed trips to Israel and Alaska, cruises, European farm tours and traveling throughout Canada and the US, visiting friends and their children and grandchildren. In later years, they retired to Arizona enjoying sunshine and new friends! Delbert was a selfless, generous man who cared for others always putting them first. He addressed situations with wisdom and a positive attitude. He loved his family, he loved farming and he loved God. He is an example of living a full life filled with meaning and purpose. Delbert will be cherished and remembered by his 5 children, Gloria (Larry) Martin of Goshen, IN; daughter, Rhonda (Bob) Osness of Calgary, Alberta; daughter, Denisse (Steve) Cameron of Estes Park, CO; son, Bruce (Karen) Lewallen of Bisbee, ND; daughter, Celeste (Jeff) McChesney of Waxhaw, NC; 14 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Beverly, a son, Dennis, brother and sister.
The service will be livestreamed on the church YouTube page at:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCkYqz4gdUCZ4rjR8bjNUI_A
Delbert was born January 4, 1925 to Dan and Fannie Lewallen in the farmhouse south of Bisbee, ND. He spent his childhood on the family farm with his brother and sister. He attended Hardwheat School through grade 8 until he started full-time work on the farm. He was active at the Zion Church of the Brethren and in the community. On October 20, 1947 he married the love of his life, Beverly Smeltzer whom he grew up with in the community and at church. With Beverly by his side, they raised five children on this third-generation farm growing wheat and barley crops, raising dairy cows and beef cattle, pigs, chickens, and tending a huge garden. Besides his farm duties, Delbert was active in the Cando Church of the Brethren, as a deacon, church board member, men’s group and Camp Mon-Dak leadership roles, and served as representative for the Northern Plains District. He also served as a trustee on the board of McPherson College, McPherson, KS. As a result of his farming knowledge, he was invited to serve on the Bisbee Elevator board and ND Barley council. Beyond farming, his responsibilities included volunteering with the Bisbee Fire Department and serving as a volunteer ambulance attendant. Delbert had a vision to build and establish a legacy to pass the farm on to the next generation. He planted trees to strategically establish shelter and protection, positioned buildings, increased the layout with a leg system, and added roadways and water systems in order to make his old homestead progressive and modern. In the late 1970’s his son, Bruce, joined him in the farm operation however he continued to remain active and interested. He loved time with friends and family, fishing, camping, boating and water skiing, snow plane, fox hunting and annual hunting trips. Winter months gave him time to join the Cando bowling league, Bisbee curling club, and drive a Cando school bus. Delbert and Beverly helped restore the southern US following Hurricane Hugo with their handyman and cooking skills. Having inherited property in Florida, Delbert helped build houses on the land which was then donated to Habitat For Humanity. They enjoyed trips to Israel and Alaska, cruises, European farm tours and traveling throughout Canada and the US, visiting friends and their children and grandchildren. In later years, they retired to Arizona enjoying sunshine and new friends! Delbert was a selfless, generous man who cared for others always putting them first. He addressed situations with wisdom and a positive attitude. He loved his family, he loved farming and he loved God. He is an example of living a full life filled with meaning and purpose. Delbert will be cherished and remembered by his 5 children, Gloria (Larry) Martin of Goshen, IN; daughter, Rhonda (Bob) Osness of Calgary, Alberta; daughter, Denisse (Steve) Cameron of Estes Park, CO; son, Bruce (Karen) Lewallen of Bisbee, ND; daughter, Celeste (Jeff) McChesney of Waxhaw, NC; 14 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Beverly, a son, Dennis, brother and sister.