Delbert Wendell

A memorial service for Delbert Allen Wendell, age 85, of Gregory, SD, was held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD. Reverend Thanael Certa-Werner officiated, and Nick Wendell gave the eulogy.

Delbert’s great-grandchildren sang On Eagle’s Wings, accompanied by Bette Fogel.

Karen Karl and Wes Schell were in charge of registration.

Delbert’s grandchildren were the urn bearers, and the staff from Silver Threads and Avera Rosebud Country Care Center were honorary urn bearers. Interment was at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, where military honors were conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Delbert was born to Elmer and Alice (Jansen) Wendell, on November 12, 1939, the fifth of seven children. His love of tinkering and automobiles dated back to his earliest days spent on family farms near Dallas, Burke, and Gregory. As a sophomore in high school, he began spending time with Lois Jewell.

He graduated from Gregory High School in 1957 and maintained lifelong friendships with many of his classmates. After graduation, Delbert followed his older siblings west and found work in Arvada, CO, near Denver.

On February 14, 1958, Delbert and Lois were married in what was the final wedding ceremony held in the Fairmont Methodist Church near Gregory. After the couple settled in Colorado, their family began to expand. Ronald Jay was born in 1958, followed by Teresa Leone in 1960, Rodney Ray in 1961, and Craig Allen in 1964.

After the loss of their son Craig in the summer of 1966, the couple made the decision to return to their hometown. They opened Rosebud Auto Parts in the back of Tilton Motor Company in the fall of 1967, eventually building a brand-new store on south Main Street in 1975. On the other end of Main Street, Delbert and Lois built the house they would call home for the next several decades.

Throughout the seventies and eighties, Delbert grew his business with the addition of NAPA stores in other South Dakota communities and Wendell Hardware in Gregory. He also found time to join a variety of community boards and organizations. He was an active member and President of the Gregory Rotary Club, a longtime trustee at the Gregory United Methodist Church, was instrumental in the establishment of Gregory’s economic development corporation, was on the Gregory Hospital Board, and from 1978 to 2022 served as a director on the Rosebud Electric Cooperative Board. He also spent years on the board of the South Dakota Rural Electric Association.

Beyond work, Delbert loved camping and boating on the Missouri River. He had a passion for restoring classic cars, especially his 1961 Corvette convertible. Each summer, he and Lois attended the Black Hills Corvette Rally, and he frequently leaned on his adventurous spirit and lead foot to win the rally’s road race. On most Saturday nights, you could find them in their booth or swinging around the dance floor at Carlock. He took great pride in the activities and accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Delbert passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025. He is survived by Lois Ann, his wife of 70 years; his son Ron (Peg); daughter Terri (Blane) Bartling; son Rod (Marcia); nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; his brother Dennis (Pam); sister-in-law Phyllis; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son Craig; parents Elmer and Alice; father- and mother-in-law Harry and Leone Jewell; brothers Willis, Wayne (Ilene), Kenneth, and Donald; sister Janyce (Howard); brother-in-law Duane (Rosalie); and a host of other relatives and friends.