Delk, Henry H. (1881-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jun 15 p. 11

Birth date: 1881 Nov 19

text of obituary:

HENRY H. DELK

Henry H. Delk, the oldest son of Henry and Maria (nee Reiswig) Delk, was born on Nov. 19, 1881, near Olivet, S. D., and departed his life Oct 27, 1971 at the age of 89 years.

At the age of 21, he came to North Dakota to apply for a land claim. On May 29, 1902 he married Katherina Bechthold. The couple went back to South Dakota for a few months, returning to North Dakota in the spring of 1903 to occupy the claim for a period prescribed by law. The couple lived three miles from Lincoln Valley, N. D. In this area the Delks lived until retirement in 1950.

Under the ministry of H. S. Voth, Bro. Delk accepted Christ as his personal Savior. He was baptized by Christian Reimche and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church. He was entrusted for eight years with the responsibility of the Sunday school, for 30 years he served as deacon, and for a number of years on the church board. For 18 years he served as director of the Fairview School District, for five years he was assessor, and for 49 years he served as secretary of the Mennonite Aid Organization local chapter.

In February 1911 death invaded the family circle when his wife and mother of four young children departed to be with the Lord.

On Oct. 1, 1911 he married Carrie Rund. Five daughters were born to this union; Pearl, Violet, Gladys, LaVaughn, and Dolly. The couple were permitted to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 3, 1971.

His daughter Pearl predeceased him. He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his wife; two sons, Emil of Lodi, Calif. and Elmer of Stockton, Calif.; five daughters, Ella, Mrs. Ralph Harrison of Oakland, Mabel, Mrs. Herman Schafer of Harvey, Violet, Mrs. Huber of Portland, Ore., Gladys, Mrs. Ben Putz of Harvey, LaVaughn, Mrs. Curtis Fleming of Arlington, Va., and Dolly, Mrs. Charles Reimche of Harvey; a brother, Charlie Delk of Wichita, Kan.; a sister, Martha Janzen of Lodi, Calif.; brother David Delk of Sacramento, Calif.; 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.