Delbert Kenneth Wilson

1935 - 2019

OELWEIN - Delbert Kenneth Wilson, 84, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 due to complications from congestive heart failure. Delbert was most recently a resident in the memory care unit at Arlington Place assisted-living facility in Oelwein.
Delbert was born on January 5, 1935 in Oelwein, Iowa, as the oldest of seven children to Kenneth and Edith (Miller) Wilson. Delbert was very proud to have been a resident of Oelwein for his entire life. He often commented, "I was born in Oelwein, raised in Oelwein, and plan to die in Oelwein." 
He was very proud of his Oelwein roots and heritage and anyone visiting with him would soon learn that his family once lived on the land that is now Oelwein City Park.
Delbert attended school in Oelwein and graduated from Oelwein High School in 1953. Following his graduation, he began work as a mechanic alongside his father until he proudly entered the Army to serve his country from 1957 until 1963 when he received his honorable discharge. He then returned his lifelong career as a mechanic with Iowa Motor Company, a position he maintained until his retirement.
Delbert was a skilled craftsman and shared his talent of leatherwork with his family by making countless wallets, billfolds, purses, quivers, belts and many other leather crafts over the years. He also enjoyed working with broom corn and made numerous hand-made brooms for friends and family. Delbert was proud to have been a Master Gardener and maintained large produce gardens. He would can and freeze much of his produce and always had plenty to share as well. Delbert always managed to bring jams, jellies, or produce whenever he visited his family, friends, and neighbors.
A lifelong bachelor, Delbert was very proud of his extended family and some of his fondest memories were of the family celebrations when everyone would gather at his home. For years, the extended family would gather at his house for the "Wilson Christmas" and when the family outgrew the space, Delbert's solution to the problem was to take down a bedroom wall to expand his living room to fit the family celebration. Anyone who visited Delbert noticed his prized arrangement of family photographs on his wall.  
Delbert loved the outdoors. Delbert was able to enjoy many fun times hunting, fishing, and trap shooting with his friends and family over the years. When he was able to drive, Delbert loved to travel around the area on gravel roads looking for "witches' broom" in conifers. He also traveled with a fishing pole and his metal detector in the back of his vehicle in case he ever had the opportunity to engage in one of those favorite hobbies.
Delbert was preceded in death by his mother, Edith Wilson; his father, Kenneth Wilson, two brothers, Lyle Wilson of Dyersville and Wayne Wilson of Marion, a sister Elaine Suhr, and a brother in law, Gary Suhr, both of Decorah.
Delbert is survived by two brothers, William (Janet) Wilson of Strawberry Point and Harry (Doris) Wilson of Waverly; and a sister Mary (Jere) Vyverberg. He is also survived by 9 nieces: Tracy (John Scheibel) Wilson, Cathy (Brock) Sands, Lisa Wilson, Amy (Todd) Derifield, Connie (Brent) Sharff, Julie (John Laughlin) Suhr, Donna (Anthony) Sewick, Angela Chaplin, and Mandie (Dan) Sanderman; 8 nephews, Larry (Melanie) Wilson, Jeff (Amy) Suhr, Matt (Jen) Suhr, Greg (Jill) Suhr, Ray (Debbie) Wilson, Mike (Amy) Wilson, Scott (Karen) Wilson, and Brad (Tara) Wilson,  18 great-nephews, 15 great-nieces, and 1 great-great-niece.
In accordance to Delbert's wishes, the family will hold a private celebration of life service and his ashes will be interred at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in rural Oelwein next to his parents' final resting place. Memorials can be directed to St. Croix Hospice, 101 Elkader St, Strawberry Point, IA 52076.