Delores Jeanne (Peterson) Hebrink

Delores Jeanne (Peterson) Hebrink, 94, died peacefully on Saturday, May 24, surrounded by family and the caring staff at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by her celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, at the Raymond Methodist Church.  Interment will be at Holand Township Cemetery in Prinsburg.  Arrangements are with the Tri-County Funeral Home of Prinsburg.  www.tricountyfuneral.com

Delores was born on August 3, 1930, to Raleigh and Emma (Emily) Peterson at home in Flora Township, Renville County, MN, and was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Sacred Heart MN. When she was three, they moved to the family homestead in Holland Township, Kandiyohi County MN, where Delores attended a one room school until the eighth grade. Delores graduated from Renville Public High School.  She went on to attend the Minneapolis School of Business and worked in the Twin Cities for a brief time to get an idea of city life before returning to Willmar where she worked at the State Employment Office.

Delores and Wayne attended the same country school.   They reconnected through their involvement in rural youth activities and were married on June 17, 1952. Together they raised their four children while farming in Holland township.  In 1984 they built a new home on the farm on which Delores grew up. They moved to Independence Place in Willmar in 2010.

Delores’ passion was being a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker.  There was never a time when the freezer was not full of pies or fruits and vegetables from her garden.  There were always fresh cookies, bars, or cakes in the cupboard. Family breakfasts were followed by a daily devotional.  She took pride in the flower gardens she maintained around her home.

Delores shared her faith by teaching Sunday school for 18 years, serving on the Missions Committee, and being an active member of The Women's Aid Society at the Raymond United Methodist Church.

When they retired from farming Delores and Wayne spent winters in Texas, traveled in their motorhome, visited Mexico, and brought home novelties to share with their grandchildren. In Texas, Delores and Wayne continued to perfect their square-dancing moves. In addition to enjoying retirement, Delores continued to volunteer and serve her communities. She cherished the experience of helping Texas elementary school children with their reading.  

When in Minnesota, Delores enjoyed fishing, gardening, and camping with her grandchildren. She wrote her recipes using shorthand, causing confusion in the younger generation. Delores was blessed to watch her 7 grandchildren grow into adulthood and welcome 7 great grandchildren into her family.     

Delores moved into Bethesda Grand in 2018, where over the course of seven years the staff became her friends as well as caregivers. The family would like to extend their deep gratitude for all the care team has done. Additionally, the family would like to thank the hospice team for their care and compassion.

Delores is survived by her husband of nearly 73 years, Wayne Hebrink, their four children: LaDonna Hebrink (Dewey Don Donato) of Willmar MN, Rodney (Carol) Hebrink of Fort Myers FL, Randy (Cindy) Hebrink of New London MN, and Coralee (Andrew) Solin of Andover MN; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hebrink, Jason (Tanya) Hebrink, Andrea (Jared) Strand, Ben Hebrink, Kandice Solin, Emily Solin, and Jake Solin; 7 great grandchildren, and sister Donna Lorraine Sower of Springboro, OH. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law Larry Sower.

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