Delbert Cleveland

Delbert Cleveland, 74, Center, died November 25, 2011 at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. 

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Center, with Reverend Dennis Ristvedt officiating.  Burial will be at Bagnell Cemetery, north of the Cross Ranch. 

Cremation has taken place and visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 pm on Monday, November 28, 2011 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.

Delbert was born November 8, 1937 in Mandan to Rolland and Marguerite (Bagnell) Cleveland.  He was raised and educated in Oliver County.  Del had many fond childhood stories about his horse, Denver.  He enlisted in the US Army and served from 1956 to 1958 in Germany as a radio operator.  Returning home, he married Vonnie Husfloen on March 25, 1961 in Center.  They farmed in Oliver County for several years.  Del worked for the Oliver County Sheriff’s office as a Deputy Sheriff.  He later worked construction and managed the Cross Ranch from 1968 to 1978.  He attended Mason City Iowa Auctioneer School and ran Old West Auction Service.  Del worked at the Great Plains Gasification Plant from 1983 until his retirement.  He also served as an Oliver County Commissioner, Center School Board member, and on the Riverdale City Council.  Del was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, American Legion, and is a past President of the Beulah Eagles.  In his spare time, Del enjoyed playing cards.  A real outdoorsman, he loved camping, fishing, and hunting.  Bird watching was a pastime he was passionate about and truly loved.  Very social and a wonderful storyteller, Del will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Blessed to have shared his life is his wife, Vonnie Cleveland, Center; three children, Jody (Jeff) Reinke, Center, Marty Cleveland, Center, and Patrick (Joan) Cleveland, Ringoes, NJ; 7 grandchildren, Jordan (Susan) Reinke, Morgan, Aaron, and Colton Reinke, Brittany Foster, and Garrett and Weston Cleveland; 2 great grandchildren, Avrey and Eli Reinke; step-mother, Aili Cleveland, Black River Falls, WI; and half-sister, Eileen Gutnecht, Black River Falls, WI.

Del was preceded in death by his parents; step father, Leo Ogden; brother, Robert Cleveland; and sisters, Shirley Jacobson and Greta Sterling.

Memorials are preferred to the family which will be used for improvements at Bagnell Cemetery.