Delia J. Grebe

Delia Jane Grebe, 96, died peacefully on August 17th, 2004 at the Bedford Memorial Hospital in Bedford Virginia where she had been a patient for several weeks. Family members were at her bedside. She moved to Bedford from her home in Saranac Lake, New York in April of 2004. Delia was a first generation American born on January 12, 1908 in Millbank, South Dakota to William and Janze VanOfferen who had immigrated to the Dakotas from Holland in 1902. One of ten children, Delia is survived by two sisters; Dorothy Morrow and Bernice Remen, both of hurricane ravaged Arcadia, Florida. She was preceded in death by sisters Bertha, Mina, Josephine and Kathryn; brothers William, Richard, John and George. Delia attended schools in Montevideo, Minnesota where she was active in High School athletics earning letters in both basketball and softball. A member of the Debate team, she enjoyed public speaking as well. Graduating in 1925, she worked for a time on the family farm until the untimely death of her father. The family sold the farm and moved to Little Chute, Wisconsin to seek work during the great depression. Delia worked at the Combined Locks Paper Mill in Little Chute where she was to meet and eventually marry Donald Grebe of neighboring Kaukauna. Married in 1935 they had four children, all boys. Carl, born in Ticonderoga, New York in 1940 died in infancy. Bruce, Richard and Gary survive with their families, including seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, in Bemidji, Minnesota, Bedford Virginia and Durham, North Carolina respectively. She remained married to Donald for over 57 years. He died in 1994 in Kaukauna, Wisconsin where they had returned in 1972 when Don retired from the St. Regis Paper Company’s Corporate Offices in New York. She continued to maintain the old homestead in Kaukauna until 1997, when she moved to Saranac Lake, New York to be with family. A faithful and loving homemaker, Delia enjoyed making much of her own clothing and slipcovers on an old treadle sewing machine. An avid and competitive bowler, she retained a 167 average at age 88! Gardening and yard-work were also among her favorite activities. Delia loved life and was quick to smile. She enjoyed the company of family and friends and a good joke. She remained mischievous to her last days.

Friends may call at the Star of Hope Chapel at Highland Memorial Park on Monday, August 23, from 10 to 11 AM, at which time funeral services will be held. Rev. Tim Albrecht of Peace United Methodist Church in Kaukauna will officiate. Friends wishing to remember her, may make donations to their favorite charity in her name.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130
920-766-6200