Delores Hagge, 91, of Williston, ND formerly of Grenora, ND passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston.

Delores was born in Emmons, MN on January 29, 1934 to Ansel & Myrtle (Davidson) Jacobson. Her parents had moved from Minnesota to farm at rural Grenora in 1929 but her mother wished to be back in Emmons with her parents when she gave birth to her first child, Delores. Thereafter, rural Grenora was Delores’ childhood home.

With the joyous birth of Delores’ brother, Robert, came the tragic loss of their mother when Delores was but 3 years old. Ansel’s dad Norman helped care for Delores for a time and her brother was lovingly raised by their Uncle Ole and Aunt Manda Karlsrud, near Alamo. Delores and Robert would get together many times to form a strong brother-sister bond.

When Delores was 10 years old, Marie McKinnon became her new stepmother as she married Ansel in 1944. Delores’ grade school education came from the Fertile Valley rural school just under 3 miles away. She recounted stories of walking to school with her neighbor friends and sometimes riding in a neighbor’s horse-drawn sleigh when the snow was heavy. She attended and graduated from Grenora High School in 1951. As did many rural children back then, Delores lived in town during the winter months, her senior year being the most memorable, spending fun evenings together with cousin Jeannie and brother Robert, all boarding in the same house.

Delores was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grenora, along with 14 other confirmands, and this continued to be Delores’ church throughout her life.

In the spring of 1951 tragedy struck when Jeannie and Robert died in a car accident. Delores said it was the loneliest time of her life until she and Gordon were married later that year, in November. She said “he brought love, family and home to me.”

Delores and Gordy first lived in Zahl, ND, then to Williston where Gordon began his employment with M.D.U., that job then taking the family to Grenora and Crosby. The family grew to include Joan Lee, Patsy Ann, Pamela Jean and Robert Gordon.

Delores worked in various jobs, her first at the switchboard of the telephone company in Williston. In Grenora she worked in the office of Grenora’s Farmers Union and baked pies for the local café. While living in Crosby she worked at the hospital and was manager of the clinic.

After retirement, they moved to north of Grenora at the Ansel Jacobson family farm, the second of two farms where Delores had been raised. Delores began her career of raising sheep in order to produce wool which she used in spinning and knitting. She did this for a number of years in partnership with Gordy and family members. Very serious and knowledgeable in her spinning, at the age of 70 Delores attained her Masters Degree at the Olds College Master Spinning Program in Alberta. She demonstrated this art of spinning and knitting in the Grenora area and at several Hostfest events in Minot and sold many of her hand-made wool hats.

Summer family vacations were the highlight of the year, especially fishing/camping trips to Waskesiu, Saskatchewan.

As grandkids came along, Delores and Gordy’s farm was the place to go, not only for visits but extended stays. Those times made good memories for the kids and strong bonds with their grandparents. Delores and Gordy treasured those times and later enjoyed listening to their grown-up grandkids recall their adventures with them at the farm.

In 2019 Delores and Gordy moved off the farm to Arbor House assisted living in Williston. Delores continued to live there after Gordy’s passing in 2023.

Delores was preceded in death by her husband Gordon; her parents, Ansel, Myrtle and Marie; brother, Robert; special cousin, Jeannie; grandson, Jay Muri; grandson-in-law, Michael Trowbridge; and many other family members and dear friends.

She is survived by her son, Robert; daughters, Joan (Ron) Laqua, Patsy (Bob) Muri, and Pamela (Roger) Gunlikson. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Though sad now, we find great joy knowing Mom and Dad are together again.