DeLores Jean Ust was born at home on the farm at Voltaire, ND on July 14, 1921.She was the oldest child of Ruth (Chilson) and Melvin Holte. She had 2 brothers and 3 sisters. DeLores was baptized and confirmed at Hierdahl Lutheran Church, Voltaire, ND.She attended all 12 years of school at Bergen, ND. She was active with the school plays, chorus and played tenor sax in the band. DeLores attended one year at Minot Teachers College.
On December 3, 1940, DeLores married Alfred Ust in Minot, ND. They lived on the Ust family farm at Clifford, ND. They continued to live there during which time their 8 children were born. They were members of Perry Lutheran Church, rural Portland, ND. She was active in Ladies Aid, Homemakers and Sunday school.
In 1960, the Ust’s moved into their new home in Portland, ND. Then in 1963 they moved to rural Wimbledon, ND. While there, they were members of Eidfjord Lutheran Church, rural Walum. They farmed there until retiring in 1976 to their new home in Valley City. Alfred entered the Care Center October, 2002 and passed away March, 2003. Mom was an everyday visitor.
She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She was a circle member and active with the quilters into her”90s”. She loved getting together with those fun gals.
Mom moved into Bridgeview December 6, 2014. She loved her new home, and grew to love the staff as well. She always had a smile for you. They called her a social butterfly. Their dining table would be full of laughter. She was extra happy when her sister Lois moved in the apartment above hers. Lots of reminiscing.
October, 2019 mom had to move to Sheyenne Care Center due to health reason. She grew to love her new home and staff there too. ‘Then COVID hit.’ We’d like to thank the staffs at Bridgeview and SMP Health – St. Raphael for the love and care they gave to our Mother.
DeLores is survived by daughters Judy Koppang, Wahpeton; Janice (Tom) Brown, Grants Pass, OR; Susan (Brian) Hoyt, Portland; son Harold (Jean) Ust, Portland, ND; 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 15 great great grandchildren; sisters Lois Irwin, Valley City; Audrey (Howard) Lahlum, Marion; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
DeLores was preceded in death by Alfred her parents, sons Paul, Warren, daughters Marilyn and Kathryn, Grandson Ryan Brown, son in-law Myron Koppang, brothers Richard Holte, Harold Hole, sister Marjorie Larson, brothers in-law Dale Irwin, Verlund Larson, sisters in-law Betty Holte, Virgil Holte, Dorothy Holte. DeLores died on January 2, 2023 at SMP Health – St. Raphael.
Memorials may be designated to the Barnes County Museum, Hospice of the Red River Valley or Our Savior’s Foundation.
The funeral service will be 2 pm Tuesday, January 10, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Valley City. Visitation will be noon until the time of the service. Burial will be in the spring at Perry Cemetery, rural Portland, North Dakota.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com