Funeral Service: Monday, August 2, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry.
Graveside Service: Prairie County Cemetery.
Longtime Prairie County resident, Dele Jens peacefully slipped away on July 25, 2010, at the Prairie County Nursing Home.
Adele Hertha Falkenstern was born on December 7, 1911, in Gackle, N.D to Emanuel, Sr. and Mary Brosz Falkenstern. Her father was the village blacksmith in Gackle.
At the age of three, Adele moved to the Watkins area of McCone County with her family to homestead. When a younger brother couldnt say Adele, she became Dele to all. Dele began school in the Watkins school and was in the third grade when the family moved into Terry. She continued her education in the Terry schools, graduating in 1931. While in high school, she fell in love with classmate, Lester Jens. Since the country was suffering the Great Depression, the couple delayed marrying until times were better. Lester worked various jobs, and Dele clerked at the Wright-Nelson-Stith Mercantile. They married on January 14, 1939. Their only son, Larry, was born in 1941. They worked on the Roddie McAulay-Chris McRae ranch north of Terry, and then the Allie Bradshaw Ranch near Locate. In 1943, they bought the Preller place on Conns Coulee, adding adjoining property in later years. They ranched there for 45 years, retiring and moving into Terry in 1988.
Dele was currently the longest enrolled member of the Terry Community Presbyterian Church, belonging for 84 years. Her belief in God, and her church were always integral parts of her life. She seldom missed Sunday services, taught in the Sunday School, was active in the Ladies Aid Circles, and served in various other capacities of the church. She was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star for many years, filling all of the local offices. Dele belonged to the Zero Homemakers Club. Dele was the quintessential ranch wife, regularly serving 5:00 a.m. breakfasts to Lesters haying, branding and shipping crews as well as huge dinners and suppers. She drove the pickup while Lester fed cake during many winters feedings. Her freezer always contained at least two gallon-sized containers of homemade cookies and a from scratch Angel food cake, in case of drop-in company. Her canned beef and chokecherry and buffaloberry jellies were welcome gifts. She regularly raised a garden, but specialized in growing flowers. Friends and family treasure the knitted or crocheted afghans and sets of embroidered pillowcases they received from Dele.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 65 years, Lester, her brothers, Emanuel, Oswald, Arnold, Aldo, and Edwin, and sisters, Edna Leach and Clara Glantz. Also, brothers-in-law, Don Leach and Jim Glantz and sisters-in-law, Florence Falkenstern, Maxine Falkenstern, and Madge Falkenstern.
Survivors include her son, Larry and his wife Judy of Terry, grandchildren, Dale Jens and wife Kristi of Shalimar, Florida and Laurie Frohlich of Dickinson, N.D., and great grandchildren, Dalton and Dharbi Jens, and Carlie and Casey Frohlich.
She was proud of her family, and loved the times when her grandchildren and great grandchildren were around. She is also survived by nephews, Don, Lee, Lance and Ryen Falkenstern, Jerry Glantz and Bill Leach, and nieces, Diane MacLiver and Kathy Falkenstern.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Prairie County Nursing Home Foundation.
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