Delbert Milton Bjordahl was born on November 22, 1926 to Gladys (Guse) Bjordahl and Oscar Martin Bjordahl in their farm house east of Erwin, SD. Delbert was the sixth of seven children. Gladys died of asphyxiation from a gasoline powered washing machine when Delbert was 6, leaving a single father with 7 children during the great depression and drought years. Oscar married Hilda (McKnight) Bjordahl in 1946. Hilda had 2 children from her first marriage. Delbert graduated from Erwin HS in 1944 as the war was winding down. He enlisted in the US Army in the fall of 1946 and served in the post-war occupation in Tokyo. After his discharge in 1948, Del returned home and married his high school sweetheart and lifelong dance partner, Helen Grace Wienk of Lake Preston, SD. They were married 65 years and had 3 children: Phillip, Joan and Steven. Married life started in DeSmet, SD where Delbert managed the Standard Oil Garage for a time. He was a volunteer fireman, a Free Mason and active in the Lutheran church. After a short stint in Mobridge, SD in 1960, Del took a position selling custom pre-fabricated houses for Midwestern Homes based in Rapid City. The job took the family to Brookings, SD and then to Rapid City in 1969. Del was on the road much of the time in Brookings, but managed to find time to be Congregation President at the newly formed Ascension Lutheran Church and to sing in the church choir. The move to Rapid City was precipitated by Del being promoted to sales manager for Midwestern Homes. He was active in the Cosmopolitan Club and the Barbershop Chorus. Del left Midwestern to start his own real estate development company thru which he was involved in the development of many properties in Rapid City including the downtown Hilton Hotel (now the Adoba). His success led to a position as manager of commercial property investments for a consortium of SD Savings and Loan owners with projects throughout the western US. At the height of his career in 1984, Del fell victim to economic and legal forces beyond his control which resulted in financial difficulties and hampered his ability to conduct business. True to his character, Del faced the challenges with courage, determination and grace. A move to Texas in 1985, followed by a move to Colorado in 1986, then Montana and back to SD where they eventually ended up in Rapid City again. Delbert was preceded in death by his elder son, Phillip (1998). Del is survived by his daughter Joan Welsh and her husband Michael, his son Steven and wife Jane, 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was committed to his friends and family and always willing to help where help was needed. He loved the Lutheran Church, he loved his family, he loved adventure and he loved to sing. His song will be missed.