Delores J. Udelhoven, 85, Fennimore, passed away on the morning of May 12, 2019 surrounded by her family.
Delores was born on May 8, 1934 in rural Montfort to Clarence and Wilhelmina (Komarek) Stivarius. After her high school graduation, Delores earned her teaching degree from a two-year program at Platteville Normal School and went on to teach at Roger Hollow Country School.
Delores was united in marriage to Gerald W. Udelhoven at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort, Wisconsin on February 15, 1955. The couple purchased a farm between Montfort and Fennimore on Highway 18. The life they built there, and the five children they raised, were a glowing sense of pride for Delores.
In the 1970’s Delores returned to school, attending UW-Platteville and earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Delores attended the University at the same time as three of her children, also working towards degrees.
Delores and Gerald retired from farming in the early 1980’s, but continued to call the farm home and always looked forward to having the house filled with family.
Delores was a great baker—making homemade bread each week and cookies every Saturday. She enjoyed traveling, sewing and was an avid reader. Delores loved socializing and going out to eat with family. Her famous potato salad was requested by her children at many family gatherings.
Delores held leadership positions in a number of veterans’ auxiliary organizations. She was a life-long active member and volunteer of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort.
Delores was preceeded in death by Gerald, her loving husband of 60 years, on July 21, 2015. Although her family will miss her dearly, they are happy to know she is once again reunited with Jerry.
Delores is survived by her five children: Randy (Debbie) Udelhoven of Fennimore; Vickie Udelhoven of Plymouth; Jim (Deb) Udelhoven of Fennimore; Cathy Udelhoven of Mason City, Iowa; and Tom (Luba) Udelhoven of Postville, Iowa.
Delores was the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: Mike Udelhoven of Fennimore; Brenda (Brandon) Hofmann of Germantown; Steve (Anna) Rood of Tomah; Angel (Jerry Yang) Udelhoven of Vero Beach, Florida; Jessica Vosberg of Mason City, Iowa; Kandi (Brian) Hill of Appleton; Amy (Greg) McTaggart of San Francisco, California; and Lara (Josh) Waldera of Oak Harbor, Washington; and five great-grandchildren: Easton and Reed Hofmann; Mason and Emily Rood; and Madelyn Hill.
She is survived by three sisters: Joan Nicholls, Gladys O’Brien and MaryAnn Atkinson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday May 16, 2019 at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:30-7:30 P.M. on Wednesday May 15, 2019 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort where a Parish Rosary will be said at 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday afternoon. Visitation will also be held from 9:30-10:30 A.M. on Thursday morning at the funeral home prior to the funeral service at the church. The Soman-Larson Funeral Home of Montfort is assisting the family.