Dellmer Sly

1924 - 2011

Dellmer W. Sly

Dakota Dunes, SD

Dellmer W. Sly, 87, of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at his temporary residence in Sioux City, Iowa after a lengthy illness.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Harold Werley officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park, Sioux City with military rites. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Christy Smith Funeral Home, with the family present at 6 p.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.christysmith.com.

Dellmer was born on March 9, 1924, in Davis City, Iowa, the only son of Harley and Ruby (Willis) Sly. He had four older sisters: Odessa, Delores, Adelaide, and Fernice. Growing up during the Depression, he enjoyed hunting and fishing both as sport and as a way to help the family make ends meet.

He married Violet L. Hullinger on August 19, 1949. They lived in eastern Iowa for many years before moving to Dakota Dunes in 1992.

Dellmer was a veteran of World War II, having fought with the First Marine Division in the South Pacific, including the Battle of Peleliu.

After his wartime service, Dellmer graduated from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake and devoted his life to education. He also earned a Masters degree in Education from the University of Colorado at Greeley. During his career, he served as a high school social studies and government teacher; a basketball and golf coach; a junior high principal; and a junior high/elementary school principal. He taught in school districts in San Diego, California; Hubbard, Prescott, and Davenport, Iowa. He retired from the Davenport School District in 1989 where he had been employed for 31 years.

Dellmer was an avid reader and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed political discussions, gardening, fishing, and traveling. He was known for his keen sense of humor. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren's activities.

Dellmer was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, First Methodist Church, Retired Teachers, Just Another Club, and Personian Club. He was a member of the Freemasons, and became a Master Mason in 1954.

Survivors include his wife, Violet; his daughter Dawn (John) Terpstra of Lynnville, Iowa; son David (Lin) of Sioux City, Iowa; grandchildren Ryan Williams of Lynnville, Iowa; Bryce Williams of Ames, Iowa; Dana Sly of Sioux City, Iowa; and Lyndsay Terpstra of Lynnville, Iowa; and a sister Adelaide Farris of Lebanon, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.