Delores Cedarholm

Delores Cedarholm, 83, passed away peacefully Jan. 7, 2016, surrounded by her immediate family at River Bend Senior Living in Rochester, Minn. Delores is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, the Rev. H. Eugene Cedarholm; brother, Paul D. Hanson (Cynthia) of Belmont, Mass.; her three daughters, Lori (Craig) Hilmer of St. Charles, Minn., Beth Cedarholm of River Falls, Wis., and Jan Moore (Sean) of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Alexandra Forbes, Abigail Forbes, Caleb Forbes, Sofia Carlson, Lena Carlson, Britta Carlson, Sam Moore and Anna Moore; a step-granddaughter, Doren Hilmer; and a Swedish exchange daughter, Karin Kaberger. Del’s Swedish heritage was very important to her and remains a strong part of her family’s life today. Delores is also aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

Delores “Del” Esther Lydia, was born Nov. 13, 1932, in Wakefield, Mich., the daughter of Hans Victor and Lydia Hanson. She was a 1950 graduate of Wakefield High School and a 1954 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. She worked as a parish worker at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Duluth, Minn., and as secretary to the Dean of Students and Registrar at Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Ill., where she met her future husband H. Eugene. She later worked as a piano teacher and church organist. From 1983-95, she worked as a sales associate for Century 21 Mid-Iowa Realty in Newton. She married H. Eugene June 7, 1958.

Music was an important part of Del's life. She played the piano, organ, flute and harp, and she loved to organize musical programs for church, nursing homes and family gatherings. In addition, she enjoyed traveling, photography and preserving family, church and career memories. She was known to all who met her as being patient, kind and happy. Del will also be remembered as a very fun and silly person who brought smiles and laughs to all!
She was active in her church (First Lutheran Church in Newton and St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Sully), and in numerous community groups. She served on the Care Review Committee for Nelson Manor in Newton. She was a member of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Newton Women's Club, the Newton Fine Arts Department and the Greater Iowa Chapter of the American Harp Society.

A service for Delores wil be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Minn., with the Rev. Steve McGinley officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until time of services at the church. A memorial service will also be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at First Lutheran Church in Newton with the Rev. Zach Bey officiating. Burial will take place in Marquette, Kan., at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Delores's name to ELCA World Hunger or to First Lutheran Church in Newton. Sign Delores's guestbook and view the memorial video at www.hofffuneral.com when it becomes available.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to River Bend and Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care for Delores. Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service of St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements.