Delores I. Teigen

Delores I. Teigen

06-11-1924 to 03-31-2014

On Monday March 31st with loving family by her side, Angels descended, bringing from above, echoes of mercy, and whispers of love as she entered the gates of heaven.

Delores was born June 11, 1924 to Isaac and Mabel Kasin in Fargo, ND. She was the eldest of 5 children. Delores was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Her early years were spent growing up on a farm outside of Hawley, MN. She remembered going to school in a one room school house. The family moved to Moorhead when Delores was in the 4th grade and she completed her school years there graduating from Moorhead High School in 1942. After graduation she worked in a youth program helping to support the war efforts by assembling radios at Telex Co. in the Midway area of St. Paul. She went on to work for the Commodore and St Paul hotels as an elevator operator where she met a young Roddy McDowell. Both being short and young, they hit it off right away and Roddy spent a lot of time while staying at the Commodore riding the elevator so they could visit.

When she moved back home to Fargo she met the love of her life Donald Teigen and on June 19, 1946 they were united in marriage. Settling down in Fargo after traveling the country during Don’s time in the Air Force, Delores lovingly filled her role as a wife, mother and homemaker. They were blessed with 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. They had an amazing 10 years of happiness together until Don’s death in 1956.

It wasn’t until the children were almost grown that another wonderful man came in to her life and on September 15, 1972 she married Garrett VanWatermulen. They loved the lake region and bought their dream home to retire at on Lake Maud which they lovingly called the “Cottage”. The grandchildren loved spending time at the lake with Grandma and Grandpa and have many special memories. When Garrett died in 1985 Delores had to eventually sell their beloved lake home as it was too much work for her stay there alone. She eventually moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to her children and that is where she lived until her death.

Delores is known for her sweet, loving and fun personality as well as for her smile which everyone commented on when they met her. She also had the most beautiful blue eyes.

She enjoyed traveling, gardening and trying new recipes. She had a great love of music and dance. Delores was such a good dancer she was asked to be an instructor at the local Arthur Murray dance school in the late 50’s. She loved to read and was proud of her ever growing book collection. She also treasured her beloved animals, Pierre 1, Pierre 2 and Penny toy poodles and her black kitty Baby who is still with us today.

The most important things and purpose in her life was and will forever be her never ending love and devotion to her family. She will be remembered as the family’s rock and beautiful guardian. She will be forever loved and deeply missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by husbands Donald and Garrett, a baby daughter Cheryl Kay, her parents Isaac and Mabel Sauer, and her brother Ivan, her mother and father in-law, Francis Hodge and Elmer Teigen, her sister in-law and brother in-law Doris Teigen and Steve Haupt. She is survived by her children Lynne Buffie, Prior Lake, MN, Terry Teigen, Las Vegas, NV, Gail Michael Schwab, Plymouth, MN, Robin Sue Teigen, Blaine, MN. Grandchildren Cory Linnea, Shawn April, and Aaron Jill Buffie, Dana Matt McDonald and Kristin Schwab, Jayson Bonnie and Joshua Anne Teigen. Great Grandchildren Morrison and Maxwell Buffie, Chaila and Saryn Buffie, Kaleb, Wesley, and Jaxson McDonald, Evan, Isaac, and Owen Teigen, Zach Teigen and Veronica Nalezny, sisters Fern Fuller, CO, Mavis Dretsch, MN, Marylis Schoeler, FL, and sister in-law Bonnie Kasin, ND, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation: Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Monday, April 14, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.

Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.