Della Herfindahl

Della Anna Herfindahl, age 78, a resident of Barnesville, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 6, 2012 in her home from an incurable kidney cancer. Della was a true pioneer born March 21st 1934 in a log home. Her birth was assisted by her grandmother, Anna. Della Anna Erickson was delivered to her parents Edor and Hazel Erickson. Della grew up in rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota where she attended country school and graduated Pelican High School at the age of sixteen. As a young girl, Della enjoyed dancing, bowling, singing in the choir and any activity outdoors. She valued lifes lessons from her father about nature and gardening from her mother. After graduation, Della moved to Fergus Falls working at the Fergus Falls Hospital as a bookkeeper and receptionist. She moved to Fargo, North Dakota and worked for Pioneer Mutual Insurance and the Oliver Cooperation. While in Fargo, Della met James B. Herfindahl who danced his way into her heart and soon they were married, January 19th, 1957. They had five children raising the family in Baker, Minnesota. Della worked as a Postal Clerk at the Baker post office then in 1983 she was sworn in as the Postmaster. Della and Jim spent their free time at Lake Lida with their dear friends, Milt and Myrna Hovland. Della cherished her time with friends and family. She always had the coffee on and time to talk on the back steps. Throughout Dellas life she enjoyed being an active member of the 4H, the Bakers Dozen, Red Hats, Democratic Party, and Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Her passions in life were her relationships with family and friends, gardening, painting, decorating cakes and sewing. She always had extra food on the table for anyone who needed a home during the holidays. She died peacefully with all her children by her side, soft music playing, holding her hand and kisses to her forehead. She is survived by her sister Doris Miller, West Fargo, ND, her five children, Craig(Sharon), Barnesville, Cynthia (Philip Hanson), Moorhead, MN, Christine (Robert Vedder), Breckenridge, MN, Lauri Griffin (Dennis Jorgenson) Barnesville, and Barbara (Greg Hoff), Hawley, MN; 15 grandchildren Jason (Ashlea), Christopher (Jenny), Erica (Tibby), Ariel and Katelyn Herfindahl; Becky and Lisa Vedder; Zachary, Cole and Abigail Griffin, Madison and Wyatt Hoff, Dylan (McKayla), Tanner and Torrie Jorgenson, and four Great-grandchildren. She will be missed by her four legged companion, Sherman, who faithfully lay by her side. She is preceded in death by her husband, James, parents, brothers Earl, Raymond and Leroy Erickson. Mom, we thank you for instilling within us the values of life, love and education. Active pallbearers are Jason Herfindahl, Christopher Herfindahl, Zach Griffin, Cole Griffin, Wyatt Hoff Honorary pallbearers are Myrna Hovland, her nieces and nephews, and the Bakers dozen Visitation: Monday, July 9, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville, Minnesota. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Services: 11:00 a.m. " Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Barnesville, Minnesota Burial: Barnesville City Cemetery