DELPHIA MARIE HALLE

Delphia M. Halle, 100 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday afternoon, September 19, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Delphia will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake, ND. Rev. David Birkeland will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery beside her beloved husband, Cecil. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Delphia will be Wayne Halle, Dale Halle, Donnie Halle, Douglas Halle, Richard Mahoney and Peter Larson. Music will be provided by Mary Oehlke, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist. Delphia Marie, daughter of Hans and Hilma (Hedlund) Hansen was born on February 21, 1911 at her parent’s home, Devils Lake, ND. When she was a small girl the family homesteaded in northern Montana, near Chinook where she entered the first grade. After completing the homestead period, they returned to Devils Lake and Delphia would make Devils Lake her home the rest of her life. She was educated here and graduated with the class of 1930. Following her graduation, she was a dental assistant to Dr. W.C. Follet for 9 years. During World War II, Delphia worked as the secretary to the Greenleaf Agency and retired in 1981 when the Agency was sold. Delphia was united in marriage to Cecil Halle on June 18, 1944. They resided on a farm east of Devils Lake during the summer months and moved into Devils Lake in the winter months. They adopted their son, Norman when he was four years old. Cecil passed away on August 25, 1962. Delphia was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school many years and was the Sunday School Treasurer until it became part of the General Fund. Of course she was an active member of the United Methodist Women and Marion Circle and was chosen “Woman In Mission”. She was also Past Noble Grand of Olive Branch Rebekah Lodge serving as their financial secretary for many years. She was very active in the community including membership with the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), volunteering at the Heartland Care Center feeding residents for over 24 years. She was forced give up the task when she was not certified as a feeder. She also assisted with bowling at the Good Samaritan Center and called Bingo at the Odd Fellows Home until her eye sight began to fail. Delphia rang the Salvation Army Bell for many years outside of Old Main Street Café. After ringing for 10 years, she was given her own Salvation Army apron and bell which she used until she was 98 years old, ringing the bell for the last time in 2009. She was elected runner-up as Ramsey County Centennial Queen in 1983 and was named an Unsung Hero in 1999. Delphia is survived by her daughter-in-law Marilyn Halle of Rugby, ND and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Delphia was preceded in death by her parents; husband Cecil; son Norman; sister Beth Larson and brother Kenneth Hansen.