Edward DeLong

Funeral Service for Edward Peter DeLong, age 79, of Herman, Minnesota will be held Monday, July 23, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Herman, Minnesota with Pastor Darrell Boe officiating. Organist will be Debbie Blume with special music provided by Jerry and Junice Bryson. Pallbearers will be Ethan Harstad, Shane Harstad, Brody Harstad, Gary Steger, Jeremiah Thompson and Kelly Oachs. Honorary Pallbearers will be PFC Tate Harstad, Jesse DeLong, Jackie DeLong, Jamie DeLong, Katie Oelfke, Christopher Hanson, Erica Hanson and Bree Hanson. Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. Oddfellows Service followed by a Prayer Service at the Untied Methodist Church in Herman. A private family interment will be held at a later date. Edward Peter DeLong was born June 4, 1933 at the family farm in Grant County, Minnesota to Ben and Della (Kruize) DeLong. He weighed only four pounds and was not expected to live long. He was kept warm by being placed near the oven door. He attended country school through the eighth grade and worked on the family farm thereafter. His family moved to Morris, Minnesota before settling on a farm near Herman. Edward continued farming and working for area farmers before he enlisted in the United States Army in 1955. While still enlisted Edward was united in marriage to Norma Steger on December 26, 1955 in Norcross, Minnesota. The couple moved to Ft. Benning, Georgia until Edwards discharge in 1957. The couple returned to the Herman area and built the home in which they currently reside. Edward worked with his father-in-law Walter Steger in the carpentry business and also sheared sheep. After his retirement Edward worked as a custodian for the United Methodist Church and also for the Herman Public School system. In his free time Edward enjoyed reading military related books, having coffee at Dennys Caf, bowling, fishing, gardening and woodworking which won him several first place trophies at the Grant County Fair, and spending quality time with his grandchildren. Edward belonged to the local Oddfellows Lodge and was active in the United Methodist Church serving on several boards. Edward passed away on July 19, 2012 at the Knute Nelson Home in Alexandria, Minnesota. Edward is survived by his wife Norma of Herman, Minnesota, two children: Kim (Kathleen) DeLong of Everett, Washington and Wendy (Steve) Hanson of Rockford, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Jesse, Jacqueline and James DeLong of Everett, Washington, Ethan Harstad of Ames, Iowa, PFC Tate Harstad of San Diego, California and Shane and Brody Harstad of Rockford, Minnesota; two step-grandchildren: Erica Hanson of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Christopher (Bree) Hanson of Minnetonka, Minnesota; six siblings: John DeLong of Morris, Minnesota; Elsie (Alger) Iverson of Alexandria, Minnesota; Greta Mogler of Morris, Minnesota; Ben (Vonna) DeLong of Alexandria, Minnesota; Darlene Loose of Morris, Minnesota and Richard DeLong of Glenwood, Minnesota; one sister-in-law: Laura Steger of Sterling, Alaska; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. Edward was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Frank Steger.