Delores Kathryn Lefor, 76, Dickinson, died Sunday, March 11, 2012, Dickinson, with her family at her side. Mass of Christian Burial for Delores will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 15, 2012 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Patrick Schumacher as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary & vigil at 7:30 p.m., with Deacon Bob Stockert presiding.

Delores Martin was born May 22, 1935 in Dickinson, to Frank and Veronica (Gotterbarm) Martin. She was the 11th of 15 children who grew up on a farm northeast of Gladstone. Delores attended school in Gladstone and graduated in 1953. For the next year Delores stayed at home to help raise the younger siblings as her parents died at a young age. Later, she worked at the S&L store until her marriage.

Delores was united in marriage to Edwin N. Lefor on September 28, 1955 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Gladstone. They moved to the Lefor family farm northeast of Lefor where they farmed and raised their family for the next 40 years. There were four children born to Edwin and Delores- DeNae, Joan, Arlys and Deran.

Delores was a very active member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church and church board in Lefor. She held numerous offices in the Christian Mother Society and was a member of the church choir.

Ed and Delores retired to Dickinson, in the fall of 1995. Their son, Deran, continues as the fifth generation on the farm. Since retirement Delores spent many hours at the Cardiac Rehab Unit where she made many friends who became like a second family to her.

Her abundant garden and flowers were an important part of her life. She took pride in her carefully tended pepper patch. Delores was very generous and always made sure anyone that stopped by was well fed and had “goodies” to enjoy at home. She loved cooking and baking (her fried chicken and apple pies will be greatly missed.)

Mom was a friend to all; quick to laughter and always able to enjoy the company of those around her. Her sense of humor and laugh will always be remembered. She especially treasured spending time with her family. She was the most encouraging Grandmother, both mentor and confidant. It was not uncommon to find her attending her grandchildren’s concerts, recitals and sporting events. Her deep faith was evident as she offered up prayers for anyone who had a challenge in their life, from school tests to crops and health. We feel truly blessed to have had such a wonderful person to call “mom and grandma”.

Delores is survived by Edwin, her husband of 56 years and their four children; Denae (Terry) Henderson, Hettinger, Joan (Mel) Stoltz, Valley City, Arlys (Tom) Jorda, Dickinson, and Deran (Tina) Lefor, Gladstone; ten grandchildren, Brett (Amie) Henderson, Lindsey (Cory) Drevecky, Kyle Henderson, Tyler (Kadie) Stoltz, Tiffany (Casey) Freidig, Mariah, Cameron and Lauren Jorda, and Ransly and Shaylyn Lefor; three great-grandchildren, Alyssa Henderson, Madelyn Drevecky and Sloan Stoltz. Sisters, Marian Bleth and Veronica (Alfred) Dassinger, Dickinson, Marlene Moore, Worland, Wyo., Elaine (Bob) Burns, Yakima, Wash., Joyce (Allen) Kostelecky, Bothell, Wash.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Elvira Martin, Dickinson, Allen Rust, Huntsville, Texas, Dorothy Auld, Rockford, Minn., and Caroline Rettig, Dickinson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law, Mathias and Katherine (Martin) Lefor; sisters, Dora (Frank) Schummer, Eva (Ernest) Focht, Margaret (Ray) Haysom, Josephine Rust, Evelyn (Andrew) Sickler; brothers, Frank (Lena) Martin, Peter (Ethelyn) Martin, Anton Martin, LeRoy Martin; and her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, John Bleth, Jesse Moore, Jerry Rettig, and Richard and Marian Lefor.