Delores Mae Stephens

Delores Mae (Hartman) Stephens, age 99, of Osakis, MN, passed away Saturday October 14, 2023, at the Galeon in Osakis surrounded by many loving family members. Delores was born on January 12, 1924, to Benjamin and Ada (Tefft) Hartman on a farm near Herman, MN. In 1929, she moved to the Osakis area where she attended Country School District #10 for 7 years and then Osakis Public Schools where she graduated in 1942.

On September 10, 1942, Delores married Earl Stephens at The Osakis Lutheran Parsonage. For 35 years the pair farmed southwest of Osakis where they milked cows, cared for pigs and chickens, and worked in the field. In 1946, they welcomed their first daughter, LaDean. They were blessed with their second daughter, Darla Rae, in 1948. The pair moved to Osakis in 1997. Earl passed away in 2004. Family was everything to Delores and she proudly served Earl as his caregiver during his final years.

Delores also worked at the Osakis Community Memorial Home and Just Like Grandmas. Delores and Earl were lifelong members of the Osakis Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Rachel Circle.  She was a member of Nursing Homes Auxiliary, the Orchid Group, and volunteered at the Osakis Nutrition Center. Delores enjoyed her family and travel, spending some winters in Arizona and visiting her parents in California. Her hobbies included music, crocheting, bowling, flowers, mowing lawn, reading, watching cooking channels, gameshows, playing games on her tablet, playing Hand and Foot, dominoes, bingo, and having her fingernails polished.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; parents, Benjamin and Ada (Tefft) Hartman; stepfather, Maurice Flint; father and mother-in-law, Leland and Lorenda Stephens; brothers, Wayne and Marvin Hartman; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her daughters LaDean Lang and Darla (Dennis) Hagen; grandchildren, Stephenie Holzapfel, Stuart (Erica) Lang, Brandon (Courtney Oberg) Anderson, Steven Lang, Shannon (Cory) Meyer; step-grandson Chad (Tracey) Hagen; great-grandchildren Jordan Holzapfel, Joshua Holzapfel, Wyatt (Emma Andres) Anderson, Cameron Anderson, Madison (Thomas) Kroymann, Skylar Anderson, Jack Lang, Hailey Sinnen, Raelynn Lang, Jenessa Anderson, Holly Sinnen, Kinsley Lang, Harlo Lang; step-great-grandchildren Jordan Mack, Isaac Meyer, Elijah Hagen, and Levi Meyer; and many nieces and nephews.

Casket bearers include Stuart Lang, Brandon Anderson, Steven Lang, Jordan Holzapfel, Joshua Holzapfel, Wyatt Anderson, and Jack Lang.  Honorary Casket bearers include all of Delores’ granddaughters and great-granddaughters.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Kietzmann, Dr. Bergstrand, staff at Windmill Ponds, The Galeon and Hospice of Douglas County.