Obit: Ebben, Delton Joseph (1912 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Ebben, Verkuilen, Benzschawel, Seidling, Alger, Felser, Garrou, Parker, Primeau, Apfelbeck 
 

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) April 7, 2010 
 

Ebben, Delton Joseph (13 February 1912 - 31 March 2010) 
 

Delton Joseph Ebben passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 31, 2010, at the beautiful age of 98. 
 

Delton (known to most as Delly) was born to George and Antoinette (Verkuilen) Ebben on February 13, 1912, in Thorp where he spent most of his life.  He graduated from Thorp High School in 1931 and attended technical schools in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and Sheboygan. 
 

Delly married the love of his life, Marie Benzschawel on October 4, 1938, and they lived in Stanley where he operated his own business until 1942.  During the war years, 1942 until late 1945, he worked as a toolmaker for Moe-Bridges in Sheboygan contributing to the manufacture of aircraft parts.  Following the war, he took a position with Blue Moon Foods in Thorp where he worked for 32 years, designing and building special machines for the cheese making industry.  In addition he supervised plant maintenance for the dairy processing plant in Thorp and cheese warehouses in Boyd, Stanley and Owen. 
 

Delton believed in being an active contributor to community life and never hesitated to become involved.  He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus as well as a member of The Loyal Order of Moose and St. Bernard’s Holy Name Society.  For over 20 years he was a member of the Thorp Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service and also served as fire inspector for many of those same years.  He served on Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer Scout committees for over fifty years, as well as bring the Scout Master for Troop 27 in Thorp.   
 

He was a member of the Thorp City Council for 12 years and served on the building committees for the renovation of the grade school and high school in 1952, as well as the building committee for the new Thorp High School in 1963.  Delly was particularly proud of his work in helping build the Thorp Area Senior Center in 1982 and was the organization’s first president as well as serving as a life time member of the Board of Directors.  In addition he volunteered his knowledge and skill in maintenance services for the Clark County Nutrition Program, Meals on Wheels, which operates out of the Thorp Area Senior Center.  Few families who have their roots in Thorp escaped being touched at some time by Delly’s generosity and willingness to serve. 
 

In 1998, in recognition of his devoted community service, Delton was named one of the "Ten Most Admired Senior Citizens" by the M & I (Marshall and Ilsley) Bank.  
 

In addition to his commitments to church and community organizations, Delton was an avid hunter and fisherman and above all, a devoted family man.  He will truly be missed by his seven children; Gretchen Seidling, Eau Claire, Dale (Diane), Sunfish Lake, MN, Dean (Ruth), New Hope, MN, Gladi (Carl) Alger-Felser, David (Geri), and Joy (Bob Garrou) all of Tomahawk, and Gary (Tina), Sun Prairie; 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 
 

Delton was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Marie; five brothers: Harvey, Arthur, Leo, Lester and Roy; two sisters: Dorothy Parker and Frances Primeau; and son-in-law, Norm Seidling. 
 

Delly has rejoined the love of his life, but will be deeply missed by his family and his community which he has faithfully served for more than 75 years. 
 

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp with Rev. Keith Apfelbeck officiating. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at the church, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. 
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Thorp Area Senior Center, P. O. Box 494, Thorp, WI 54771 
 

Online condolences may be expressed at: www.cuddiefh.com  
 

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.