Delwyn Huenink

Delwyn Dale Huenink was born on April 13, 1955, the second child to Preston and Mary (Bosch) Huenink in Luverne, Minnesota. He attended school in Steen, Minnesota and later graduated from the Luverne School system. Throughout school and after graduation, Del worked as a hired hand for local farmers, walking beans and bailing hay. He later worked for Luverne Fiberglass and Burlington Northern Railroad. He moved to Worthington, Minnesota where he found a new passion for riding bike and collecting empty pop cans. There was a nurse that was working at Crossroads who remembered Delwyn from when she was a little girl. He would come to their house and pick up pop cans. The kids all called him “The Pop Can Man.” Del lived in several group homes throughout Worthington while he worked for TAC, The Achievement Center, and DAC, Development Achievement Center. He eventually moved to Ridgewood Care Center and later to Crossroad Care Center. On New Year’s Day, 2024, while living at Crossroad Care Center, Delwyn passed away peacefully at the age of 68 years, 8 months, and 19 days.

Del never met a stranger he couldn’t talk to. He loved socializing and was always sure to let the women around him know they were pretty or beautiful. He loved riding his bike around Lake Okabena in Worthington and also enjoyed bowling and spending time working on latch-hook projects. He won ribbons for his projects at the county fair. Del also loved animals and enjoyed caring for his pet dog while living in his group homes in Worthington. He watched TV and listened to the radio, sometimes both at the same time. He was always very grateful to his caregivers and he will hold a special place in their hearts as well as they fondly agreed, “There’s only one Delwyn.”

Delwyn is survived by his sister Audrey (Glenn) Winter; brother Verlyn (Mary) Huenink; step-siblings, Alvin (Donna) Bodewitz, Judy (Peter) Boeve, Kenneth Bodewitz, Stan (Dottie) Bodewitz, Glenda (John) Madsen, Norma (Wayne) Van Whye, and Joanne (George) Nuffer; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Preston and Mary Huenink, as well as Henrietta Huenink, LaVonne Brech, Gwynn Bodewitz, Jamie Nuffer, Adam Bodewitz, Bonnie Bultena, Scott Kiesow, and Mercedes DeNoble.