Delores Klusmann

Delores Klusmann, 79, New Salem, passed away on November 6, 2019, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, surrounded by her family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in New Salem with Rev. Darrel Aleson officiating.  Burial will be at Peace Cemetery in New Salem.

A time of prayer and sharing will be held at Salem United Church of Christ in New Salem from 6-8 pm on Friday, November 15.

Delores Ann was born September 8, 1940, to Erwin and Nora (Schwarting) Klusmann in New Salem.  She attended first through eighth grades at Garfield Rural School and graduated as Valedictorian from New Salem High School in 1958.  After graduation, Delores worked for Provident Life Company in Bismarck.  She attended Valley City State College where she received her two-year teaching degree and then taught at Pioneer Elementary in Bismarck for several years.  Delores returned to college, attending Minot State, and graduated with a degree in Special Education and then taught in California.  After several years of teaching, an opportunity arose that took her to Sun Valley, Idaho and thus began her career in hospitality and convention coordinator.  She realized this was her calling and continued to take these types of positions in Sun River, Portland, OR and Borrego Springs, CA.  After many years, she returned to the Sun River/Bend area and worked for a children with special needs program in Bend and later the Bend school district autistic program.  She eventually retired to her hometown of New Salem in 2010.  Delores was always involved in many organizations and community affairs and that did not stop when she retired.  Delores had a seat on the City Council and belonged to an organization promoting the Old Red Trail to name just a few.  Wherever she lived, she made a difference.  She never met a stranger and made many true and fast friends along the way.  Dee never forgot her roots and loved New Salem and North Dakota.  Being an avid New Salem Holsteins fan, she attended every game, of every sport, whenever possible.

Delores lived a diverse and exciting life including travels to Australia and New Zealand.  She worked at 1980 Lake Placid Olympic, spent a summer working in Alaska, and spent a total of two years on two separate occasions, working in southern Germany.  During her stays in Germany, she traveled extensively throughout Europe.  She explored all areas of the United States.  Dee took every opportunity to travel and experience new things.  She had a passion for life.

Our lives will be forever changed for having known her as a sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

She is survived by her brother, Marvin (Gloria Bohn) Klusmann, New Salem; sister, Sandra Klusmann Shively, New Salem and her sons, Ken Shively and John Shively, both of Mesa, AZ; nephew, Gregg (Kristie Skretteberg) Klusmann and children, Braden and Ivy, all of New Salem; niece, Kristin (Joel) Cummings and children, Kalli and Jacob of West Fargo; aunt, Verna Backsen; as well as many cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Erwin and Nora; great-nephew, Daniel Logan Shively; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the ND 4-H Hall of Fame, NDSU Dept. 7280, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 or to Elm Crest Manor in New Salem.