Delano Mann

Delano Mann, 89, of Napoleon, ND, passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside on Monday, March 16th, 2026. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:30 am at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a Rosay/Vigil service at 7:00 pm at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Burial will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 12:00 pm at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Delano was born September 23, 1936, in Mandan, ND, to Michael and Viola (Miller) Mann. He grew up with a strong work ethic and a love for family-values that shaped his entire life.

On January 18, 1958, Delano married the love of his life, Eileen (Dinius). Together they built a beautiful family and shared 68 years of marriage. They raised five children: Kelly Grotte (Clark), Connie Huggett (David), Christine Sperle (Leon), Karla Forde (Scott) and Michael Mann (Shelly).

Delano was blessed with a large and lively family, including 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren, all of whom brought him tremendous joy.

Delano began his career as a meat cutter at Bill's Super Value, where he worked for 23 years. In 1979, he and Eileen moved to Napoleon, ND, and purchased the Super Value store. Under Del's leadership, the store flourished, and in 1984 he moved the business into a new building. Delano retired in 2000, passing the store on to his son, who continues to operate it today.

After retirement, Del and Eileen enjoyed their summers at their beloved lake cabin. The lake was a place of laughter, relaxation, and family gatherings-first at Lake Sakakawea and later at their cabin at Lake Isabel, purchased around 1980. Del loved the outdoors and was passionate about hunting, bowling, and golf. He cherished boating and waterskiing with his family and was always happiest when surrounded by loved ones near the water.

A natural tinkerer, Del enjoyed fixing cars, working on snowmobiles and jet skis, and even competing in demolition derby with the cars he repaired himself. He had a gift for making things run-whether engines or the family business-and he took pride in teaching those skills to his children and grandchildren.

Delano was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Connie Mann; his sisters Donna and Cathy Mann; brother in law John; and brothers-in-law Gerald Dinius and Donald Dinius.

He is survived by his devoted wife Eileen; his five children; his sons and daughters in law; his grandchildren; and generations of great and great great grandchildren who will carry forward his legacy of hard work, kindness, and love of family.

Delano will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.