Delbert Gierstorf

Delbert Herman Gierstorf was born September 2, 1927, the son of Chris and Lizzie Schwartz Gierstorf. He died on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 83.
Delbert was born at the family farm in Morgan Township near Schleswig, Iowa. He was baptized in Christ at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hanover Township, by Pastor Runge. He was confirmed on April 6, 1941, at St. Paul by Rev. Wagoner. Delbert received his education at the St. Paul Lutheran School in Hanover Township.
After his schooling, he helped his dad and brothers on the farm. In 1947 he moved to the farm where he lived until he moved to Schleswig in 2008. On April 17, 1949, Delbert was united in marriage to Ramona Bahnsen at the Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig. The couple was blessed with the birth of six children. He continued farming and later owned a gravel and sand business.
He was a loving and kind husband, and a caring father and grandfather who enjoyed having his grandchildren visit on the farm. He also enjoyed traveling to his childrens homes in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Idaho. His leisure time was spent helping out on the farm, visiting with friends at Cheetahs in Schleswig, and traveling to the casino with his friends. He was a member of the Voters assembly at St. Paul Lutheran Church, AAL, Lutheran Laymens League Mens Club, and served in several church officer positions. He was also a member of the County Extension Board.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ramona; three brothers: Wilbert, Reinhard and his wife Mona; Elmer and his wife Lorraine; two sisters: Leona, and her husband, Herbert; Pauline and her husband, John; one brother-in-law Harold; one grandson, Seth; and one great-grandson, Jack. Survivors include three sons: Dennis and his wife, Judy; Darrell and his wife, Ernestine; Gary and his wife, Sue; three daughters: Marjean and her husband, Bruce; Janelle and her husband Denny; and Theresa and her husband Larry; 20 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; two sisters: Esther and Irma; two sisters-in-law: Lorraine and Marge, other relatives and friends.