Delphine Ottesen, 87, of Detroit Lakes (formerly of Thief River Falls, MN) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Pelican Landing Assisted Living in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Sunday July 24, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday July 25, 2022 at St Bernard's Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Delphine Theresa Feil was born November 24,1934, to Emil Charles and Mary Frances (Hauck) Feil in Wales, ND, and was baptized at St. Michael's Catholic Church. She grew up in Mount Carmel, ND, where she attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and went to the Dresden Country School about a mile from her house. She attended St. Alphonsus High School in Langdon, ND, and graduated in 1952. After high school, she worked as a secretary for a year at Schroeder Furniture Store in Langdon. She then moved to Wenatchee, WA, because she had a brother living there, and she worked as a nanny/housekeeper for a family in the area. While there, Delphine's mother became ill, so she returned home to help care for her. After her mother died, she remained at home to help her father and brother on the farm.

She was united in marriage with Lloyd Ottesen on Nov. 18, 1957, and to this union five children were born. They started their married life in Langdon, ND, but later moved to Lancaster, MN, and eventually made their home in Thief River Falls. Delphine was a homemaker who enjoyed raising her children and keeping everything running at home. While married to Lloyd, they owned cattle, pigs, chickens and they farmed, and for a period of time, they owned and operated the Thief River Falls Auction Barn together. She and Lloyd divorced after 26 years of marriage, but Delphine continued living on their farm south of Thief River Falls until 1992, when she moved to town. She also cooked at the Rex Café for 15 years and when the Rex closed, she worked as a hostess at Handy Farm's Restaurant.

Delphine had a strong faith and was very active in St. Bernard's Catholic Church with prayer groups, as a communion server, rosary recitals, making prayer blankets and giving back to her fellow parishioners. She was a strong believer in the power of prayer – her faith, family and friends were the most important things in her life. She had many creative talents and hobbies including quilting, sewing, crocheting and embroidery. Delphine was also an avid gardener. She loved growing vegetables and flowers, and everyone always admired her yard – something was always blooming. She was also an excellent cook and baker, and she enjoyed sharing the food she grew and prepared with her family and friends. She was a warm, generous woman who was quick to share her time, advice, friendship and prayers with those around her.

Delphine is survived by five children:  Linda Brown, Burnsville, Minnesota; Pamela (Todd) Teiken, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; Barbara (Gregg) Gjerswold, Camas, Washington; Shalla (Jeff) Kierzek, Apple Valley, Minnesota; Jayson (Mary) Ottesen, Thief River Falls, Minnesota, 10 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and her sister Virginia Olson, Chinook, MT.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant child, three brothers, Leonard, Melvin and Ervin Feil, and one sister Bernetta Metzger-Hindbough.

Family condolences can be shared at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Hospice of Red River Valley .