Delmer Loen was born on August 4, 1920 in Camp Lake Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the son of Selmer Albert and Ida (Simonson) Loen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Pauli Lutheran Church near Swift Falls, Camp Lake Township, Swift County. He attended Camp Lake Country School District and graduated from Benson High School in 1938 and Minneapolis School of Business in 1950. Delmer served his country from July 13, 1942 to October 1, 1945 in the US Army as a Radio Operator during World War II. On November 10, 1945, he was united in marriage to Audrey Mae Welker at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota. This union was blessed with six children, fourteen grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Together they were able to share in 38 years of marriage. They made their home in Benson where Delmer worked as an Electrical Contractor. Delmer belonged to the Minnesota Electrical Association and the VFW Post 1403. He was a member of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church where he served as a Deacon, a Trustee, and on the Church Council. Among the things Delmer enjoyed were family, friends, sports, dancing, golf, helping people, sharing candy, and eating or as Delmer said "taking on groceries". (Delmer attributed his long life to lutefisk and limburger cheese.) He will be most remembered for his honesty and integrity, along with his wit, kindness, and generosity. Delmer attained the age of 92 years, 1 month, and 5 days. Delmer is survived by his children: Gary (Doris) Loen, Sheila (Wayne) Dokken, Kevin (Deb) Loen, Steve (Susan) Loen all of Benson; Lonny Loen of Santa Barbara, CA and Rhonda (Steve) Fennell of Benson; 14 grandchildren: Elizabeth Loen (Steve Zemlicka) of Minnetonka, Eric Loen (Laura Suter) of Benson, Ryan (Laurie) Dokken of Sioux Falls, SD; Heather Dokken (Cello Eaton) of Willmar, Mark (Brittany) Dokken of Fargo, ND, Megan (Adam) Ahrndt of Benson, Casey (Stephanie) Loen of Fargo, ND, Garth (Katie) Loen of Memphis, TN, Lindsay (Nate) Kellner of Maple Grove, Greta (Sean) Evenson of Fargo, ND, Samuel (Julie) Loen of Benson, Corey (Greta) Fennell of Prior Lake, Britta Fennell (Tyler Kramer) of Benson, and Carter Fennell of Benson; 15 great-grandchildren: Kurt and Holden Loen-Plekkenpol of Minnetonka, Mariah, Nathan and Samuel Dokken of Sioux Falls, SD, Keyanna Dokken, Lyric & Harmony Eaton of Willmar, Morgan Grabinger, and Treyd Dokken of Fargo, ND, Ally and Cole Kellner of Maple Grove, Reese Evenson of Fargo, ND, Audrey Kaye Loen of Benson, and Steven Jesse Dean Fennell of Prior Lake; brothers: Maurice (Priscilla) Loen of Blaine, MN, Arden (Barb) Loen of Benson; sisters: Elaine (Mike) Hafner of Brooklyn Park, MN, Vera (Don) Finnes of Glenwood, MN, Lorna (Marlyn) Bahl of Willmar, MN; in-laws: Alice Loen of Starbuck, MN, Lola Welker-Chesick, Bill (Marie) Welker, Mona Welker all of Willmar, MN; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and all the special people in Delmer's life. Preceding him in death are his wife, Audrey, on November 18, 1983; parents, Selmer and Ida; stepmother, Marie Loen Haugen; an infant son in 1947; infant son, Dean Allen Loen in 1959; sisters: Lillian (Elmer) Jackson, Inez (Kearney) Simonson; brothers: Rueben (Lillian) Loen, Stanley Loen, and Lloyd (Doris) Loen; in-laws: Harry and Arlys (Welker) Barduson, Keith and Barb Welker, Neil Welker, and Johnny Chesick; nephews: Brian Welker, DeWayne Jackson, Lynn Loen. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Swift County Benson Hospital Foundation, Swift County Cancer Society, Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, or the Glenwood Retirement Village.
