Watch Delore's Prayer Service

Watch Delore's Funeral & Committal Service

Delore Leo Athmann was born on August 6, 1923, on the farm located near Beaulieu, MN, to Edward and Reina (Hopfner) Athmann. He passed away November 14, 2021, at the age of 98, at Ecumen Long Term Care Facility in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Delore married Dolores Anderson on June 3, 1947, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu. Following their marriage, they owned and operated the general store in Beaulieu before setting out for Garden Grove, CA with four children in January of 1960. They returned to Minnesota and continued to own and operate retail businesses in Henning and Mahnomen, MN. Dolores and Delore operated Athmann's Clothing Store for 30 years preceding their retirement. Delore was also employed by the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for 25 years.  Rural Route 2 was 135 miles of travel each day which totaled about 1,000,000 miles during Delore's years of service. He was a member of the Mahnomen High School Class of 1941.

Delore proudly served his country during WWII as a radio operator and waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator Bomber with the 15 ^th Air Force, 451 ^st Bombardment Group, 727 squadron, completing 35 missions. Missions were flown from the base near Foggia, Italy to targets in Germany, Poland, Italy, Austria, and Yugoslavia and lasted over eight hours with temperatures reaching -30 to -40 below at 25,000 feet. Delore earned the Purple Heart for injuries sustained from parachuting after their bomber was shot down by flak from enemy anti-aircraft ground fire. He also earned the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters for his contribution to destroying the enemy's fuel, manufacturing, and rail transportation systems.  In May of 1945, following the surrender of Germany, Delore and a fellow crew member were asked to accompany a group of officers on an unofficial flight on one of the many idle B-24 Bombers to Cairo, Egypt, and the Holy Land. Delore has walked on the pyramids, stood on the arm of the Sphinx and visited many biblical sites including the birthplace of Jesus.

Delore and Dolores loved polka music and going to local and regional polka dances and events. They enjoyed hosting polka bands in their home or lake cabin to provide great music for the local area.  Throughout the years, Delore loved the outdoors and was an avid deer hunter and sausage maker. He was proud to have passed these traditions on to his sons and grandson.

They were true Winter Texans, spending their retirement years with family and friends in the Rio Grande Valley area, near Alamo, TX.  They especially enjoyed attending Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle and trips to the Mexican side of the river with friends to enjoy good food, beverages, and a mariachi band.

Delore was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and Rural Mail Carriers Association.

Delore was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores, of 74 years on October 3, 2021. He is also survived by his children: Michael (Mary Dufner), Susan Seccareccio, Joann (Chris Marcoux), and Bradley (Patricia). He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Dr. Anthony Athmann (Sara Erie), Andrea Athmann-Luksik, Dr. Christine Athmann (Dr. Justin Gerstner), Justin Kuehl, Ryan Kuehl, Alexandra Athmann-Marcoux, Ashley Athmann; and eight great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to the Ecumen Long Term Care Facility and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the wonderful care and support for Delore in his declining months.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, November 19, 2021, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Beaulieu, MN.  Visitation will be held Thursday, November 18 ^th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:00 pm at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church.  Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu.

Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, and CDC guidelines, social distancing will be practiced. Masks are strongly encouraged.

Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available.