Laurain Dehlin

Laurain (Ford) Dehlin

Laurain A. (Ford) Dehlin passed away on July 18, 2024, at Brookdale Mariana Butte in Loveland, CO, just a few days shy of her 87th birthday. Laurain was born on July 22, 1937, to Ethel (Eakle) Ford and William 'Earl' Ford in Ada, MN. Growing up as a typical Minnesota farm girl during the late Depression and World War II years, she faced difficulties after her father passed away when she was just 6 months old, yet enjoyed riding horses, running through the fields after butterflies, playing with her cousins and older brother Vern, and working with the animals. Active in Future Farmers of America, Laurain had a lifelong passion for gardening, with her vegetable gardens and flower beds being the envy of the neighborhood.

She met the love of her life, Dale Dehlin, at a barn dance when she was a senior in high school. Graduating from Ada High School in 1955 and starting nursing school in Wahpeton, ND, Laurain left during her first year to marry Dale. They moved to the Bismarck-Mandan area in 1961, where they raised their three children – Gary, Valerie, and Julie – and welcomed a foreign exchange student, Carlos Anda, into their home in 1977. Dale and Laurain were both active in their church, House of Prayer Lutheran in Bismarck, where she was an avid choir member and served on the ELCW board. Laurain was passionate about genealogy and cherished family connections. Every summer, the family vacationed in Detroit Lakes, MN to relax on the beach, fish, and reconnect with extended family. They loved to travel, including annual trips to Hawaii in February (their anniversary), a trip to Ecuador in 1978 to meet Carlos' family, and many trips to visit relatives. After retirement, they spent winters in Arizona in their RV, visiting their children's families and traveling throughout the West, as far north as Alaska. They were happily married for 61 years until Dale's passing in 2017.

Laurain resumed nursing school at Mary College (now the University of Mary) in Bismarck, ND, when her children were in grade school, graduating in 1971. She returned to earn her Master's degree there in 1991. Her varied nursing career, primarily in Bismarck, included roles in inpatient pediatrics, public health, coordinator and mentor for UND medical students, home health hospice manager, and nursing instructor at both MedCenter One and United Tribes, having a special place in her heart for the native American culture. She was humbled and brought great joy by supporting struggling doctor and nursing students, caring for hospice patients and their families, and connecting with schoolchildren as a school nurse. She was named to Who's Who in American Nursing in 1991.

She is survived by her three children: Gary (Loly) Dehlin, Valerie (Perry) Scott, and Julie Dehlin (John Hathaway/partner); foreign exchange son Carlos Anda; four grandsons: Bryan and Paul Dehlin, Ian and Andrew Scott; three great-grandchildren: Cadence and Rory Dehlin-Grant, and Madison Dehlin; favorite cousin Lola Wermager, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother.

Laurain had been taking Alzheimer's slow walk into the sunset for the past few years. In the end, she only had flickers of recognition but was still a hugger and knew she was loved. She lived a long, beautiful life filled with love, challenges, and blessings, and she passed peacefully in her sleep. We were all blessed to have known her and been loved by her. We remember her as she was -- happy, healthy, young, vibrant... and running with the butterflies.

The family extends a special thank you to Brookdale Mariana Butte in Loveland and to Edgewood Vista on Dominion in Bismarck for the compassionate and loving care given to Laurain in her final years. Memorial service arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, Mom requested that donations be made to Noah's Ark Daycare and Pre-school (checks written out to same) at 1550 Wichita Dr. Bismarck, ND 58504 and to God's Child Project at godschild.org. The family also requests that donations in Laurain's honor can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation at act.alz.org.