Delbert Brede

Delbert Brede, age 81, of Big Stone City, SD, passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank, SD.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Big Stone City, SD. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14, at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. There will be a Celebration of Life service followed by a small luncheon on May 21, 2022, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Details on time to be provided at a later date. 

Delbert William Brede was born on July 29, 1940, at his family home in Glencoe, MN, to William and Lydia (Lindemann) Brede. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Auburn, MN. He grew up and attended school in the Glencoe area, graduating from Glencoe High School with the Class of 1957. Delbert met Deloris Sellner in New Ulm, MN, and the two were married on August 9, 1961, in Stewart, MN. They became members of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD.

Delbert was a hard worker. Along with running the family farm with his wife, Deloris, and their children, he worked in fields for Green Giant, he drove truck for Bartels Truckline, Inc. out of Winthrop, MN; Mielitz Brothers out of Bellingham, MN; and Hedge & Herberg, Inc. out of Big Stone City, SD. He hauled milk tanker, feeder cattle, pigs, and grain throughout the Midwest and beyond. After Delbert retired from farming and truck driving, he helped Jim Nelson with running equipment, repairs, and helping with other tasks that needed doing.

Delbert and Deloris loved to travel. Of all the places they had been, Delbert enjoyed traveling through the Midwest, the western part of the country, and as far north as Alaska. He enjoyed gardening and tending to a large strawberry patch while Deloris canned the bountiful yields each year. Delbert loved farming and anything that had to do with tractors: He restored antique tractors, gave tractor rides, participated in parades and tractor pulls, and loved going to the Twin Brooks Threshing Shows.

After retirement, Delbert tried his hand at woodworking and did a few projects here and there. He enjoyed fishing, going to Cenex for coffee and visiting, and absolutely loved going to the Senior Citizen Center to play cards. Delbert will be missed for his detailed, animated storytelling and for his love of a good game of Pinochle.

Delbert is survived by his sons: Delbert (Tyan) Brede, Jr. of Ceylon, MN; and Delano (Twyla) Brede of Bagley, IA; his daughter, Debbie Jonescheit of Liberty, MO; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Nina (Gary) Skalberg; sisters-in-law: Dorothy (Stan) Painter, Helen (Roy) Janni, Arlene (Frank) Matter, Kathy Platz, and Denise Sellner; brother-in-law, Ron Soukup; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Deloris in 2019.