1930
Eleanor
2023
Eleanor Josephine Delzer
March 6, 1930 — March 20, 2023
A Simple Soul
Our sweet Momma passed away at age 93 on March 20, 2023, after a 20-month cancer journey. Eleanor Josephine Delzer was born on March 6, 1930, to Glen and Helen Gray in Elk River, MN. She was the second oldest of 11 children. In 1950 she married Vernon Anderson, and they became parents to 3 daughters; Julie Kleven (Scott) of Crookston, MN, Jan Gillam of Scottsdale, AZ, and Mary Savagian (Rick) of Ahwatukee, AZ.
Although growing up in a small house in a large family with little means, life was full of love. Her father Glen Gray passed away when Mom was 16, leaving her Mother, Helen, with the task of raising her large family. She did a remarkable job with the love and support from extended family, including grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Mom became a wonderful baker like her Mother. Grandma sold farm eggs and angel food cakes for 35 cents. The family was large enough to have their own baseball team, and many evenings were spent gathered around the radio listening to The Lone Ranger, Shirley Temple, and Jack Armstrong or singing songs around the piano.
The summer before her senior year, Mom had the opportunity to go to Lindenville, Vermont, to work for Earl and Gwen Brown (Hennepin County Sheriff) on their estate. The experience broadened and enriched her life.
Mom graduated with honors from Elk River High School and went on to attend Swedish School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She practiced her nursing skills in Windom and Fergus Falls. She then went on to the Fargo Clinic, working under Dr. O’Hearn and Dr. Reynolds. She was a loyal, compassionate, caring, and kind nurse, as was particularly evident during the time she spent in the early 2000s in Denver caring for her son-in-law Steve Gillam during the final weeks of his cancer journey.
Mom was a beautiful seamstress and a knitter. Being the oldest girl in a large family, she sewed many of the clothes for her siblings. Her beautiful knit baby hats and sweater sets have found their way to many states. She sewed her daughter Julie’s wedding dress. We’ll all think of Mom when we wrap up in one of her cozy flannel quilts on a cold winter day.
More than 50 years of family memories were made at the lake cabin on Big Floyd Lake near Detroit Lakes. Countless “sunnies” caught off the dock, four generations of waterskiers (including Mom), and gatherings with family and friends too numerous to count.
After retirement, Mom moved to Sun City West, Arizona, where she married Oren Delzer. During their 28 years there, Mom was an active volunteer at the Del Webb medical records department and the hospital auxiliary thrift store for 25+ years. She accumulated nearly 10,000 volunteer hours. She was a faithful member of the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Sun City West. She enjoyed line dancing, swimming, and playing pool.
She was preceded in her death by her parents, Glen and Helen Gray; her former husband, Vernon Anderson; son-in-law, Stephen Gillam; and siblings, Donald, Stanley, George, Robert, Ruth, Crystal, and Harriet.
Mom leaves behind her 3 daughters, Julie, Jan, and Mary; sons-in-law, Scott and Rick; grandchildren, Troy (Bobbi Jo) Kleven, Ryan (Jamie) Kleven, Shawn (Bethany) Kleven, Tessa (Kevin) Geraghty, Nick (Chelsea) Gillam. Her legacy includes 7 great-grandchildren, Riley, Kailey, Anders, Thomas and Thea Kleven, and Myles and Otis Gillam. Surviving siblings are David Gray, Lloyd Gray, and Dr. Mark Gray.
Mom’s tenacity and work ethic she instilled in her family was with her to her final breath. We find comfort knowing that mom’s earthly job is complete and she is healthy and happy in heaven, reconnecting with her family and friends. Mom, until we meet again…we will miss you.
We will be forever grateful to the Hospice of the Red River Valley and the staff at Edgewood in Fargo for the wonderful care she received these past 3 years.
Eleanor’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service to be held in early summer in Detroit Lakes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
~Julie and Scott, Jan, Mary and Rick
Our sweet Momma passed away at age 93 on March 20, 2023, after a 20-month cancer journey. Eleanor Josephine Delzer was born on March 6, 1930, to Glen and Helen Gray in Elk River, MN. She was the second oldest of 11 children. In 1950 she married Vernon Anderson, and they became parents to 3 daughters; Julie Kleven (Scott) of Crookston, MN, Jan Gillam of Scottsdale, AZ, and Mary Savagian (Rick) of Ahwatukee, AZ.
Although growing up in a small house in a large family with little means, life was full of love. Her father Glen Gray passed away when Mom was 16, leaving her Mother, Helen, with the task of raising her large family. She did a remarkable job with the love and support from extended family, including grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Mom became a wonderful baker like her Mother. Grandma sold farm eggs and angel food cakes for 35 cents. The family was large enough to have their own baseball team, and many evenings were spent gathered around the radio listening to The Lone Ranger, Shirley Temple, and Jack Armstrong or singing songs around the piano.
The summer before her senior year, Mom had the opportunity to go to Lindenville, Vermont, to work for Earl and Gwen Brown (Hennepin County Sheriff) on their estate. The experience broadened and enriched her life.
Mom graduated with honors from Elk River High School and went on to attend Swedish School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She practiced her nursing skills in Windom and Fergus Falls. She then went on to the Fargo Clinic, working under Dr. O’Hearn and Dr. Reynolds. She was a loyal, compassionate, caring, and kind nurse, as was particularly evident during the time she spent in the early 2000s in Denver caring for her son-in-law Steve Gillam during the final weeks of his cancer journey.
Mom was a beautiful seamstress and a knitter. Being the oldest girl in a large family, she sewed many of the clothes for her siblings. Her beautiful knit baby hats and sweater sets have found their way to many states. She sewed her daughter Julie’s wedding dress. We’ll all think of Mom when we wrap up in one of her cozy flannel quilts on a cold winter day.
More than 50 years of family memories were made at the lake cabin on Big Floyd Lake near Detroit Lakes. Countless “sunnies” caught off the dock, four generations of waterskiers (including Mom), and gatherings with family and friends too numerous to count.
After retirement, Mom moved to Sun City West, Arizona, where she married Oren Delzer. During their 28 years there, Mom was an active volunteer at the Del Webb medical records department and the hospital auxiliary thrift store for 25+ years. She accumulated nearly 10,000 volunteer hours. She was a faithful member of the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Sun City West. She enjoyed line dancing, swimming, and playing pool.
She was preceded in her death by her parents, Glen and Helen Gray; her former husband, Vernon Anderson; son-in-law, Stephen Gillam; and siblings, Donald, Stanley, George, Robert, Ruth, Crystal, and Harriet.
Mom leaves behind her 3 daughters, Julie, Jan, and Mary; sons-in-law, Scott and Rick; grandchildren, Troy (Bobbi Jo) Kleven, Ryan (Jamie) Kleven, Shawn (Bethany) Kleven, Tessa (Kevin) Geraghty, Nick (Chelsea) Gillam. Her legacy includes 7 great-grandchildren, Riley, Kailey, Anders, Thomas and Thea Kleven, and Myles and Otis Gillam. Surviving siblings are David Gray, Lloyd Gray, and Dr. Mark Gray.
Mom’s tenacity and work ethic she instilled in her family was with her to her final breath. We find comfort knowing that mom’s earthly job is complete and she is healthy and happy in heaven, reconnecting with her family and friends. Mom, until we meet again…we will miss you.
We will be forever grateful to the Hospice of the Red River Valley and the staff at Edgewood in Fargo for the wonderful care she received these past 3 years.
Eleanor’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service to be held in early summer in Detroit Lakes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
~Julie and Scott, Jan, Mary and Rick
To send flowers to the family in memory of Eleanor Josephine Delzer, please visit our flower store.
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