Delbert Hobbs

Delbert Eugene Hobbs, age 89, of Austin, died Friday, February 26, 2010 at Our House Memory Care one day short of 90 years old. Delbert was born February 27, 1920 in Oakland, Minnesota to Oliver and Ethel Hobbs. He attended Blooming Prairie School and Austin Public School. Del lived in Oakland, Blooming Prairie, Austin and California. He met his wife, Mary Kirtz at the Rainbow Dance Hall and they were married by Father Sainsbury in 1940. Del was the first man drafted in Mower County in March 1944. He served in the Infantry and saw action in the European Theatre. On February 15, 1945 he was wounded and received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and three battle stars. Del was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed woodworking. He loved to work in his yard, bowl and play golf. One of his other interests was radio control model airplanes. You build them in the winter and crash them in the summer. He belonged to a local club called the Austin RC Society. Del was one of the discussion leaders at the coffee counter at Kenny's Oak Grill where his daughter, Joanne and grandkids, Kim and Tony and their kids, Joey and Steph worked. He loved to travel and spend time with his daughter, Shirley and Bob and her seven children in Waukon, IA. Del started work at the Austin Hormel Plant on April 24, 1942. After the war he returned and worked in the Cut for 33 years, serving as Department Chairman and Grievance Man for 15 years. He was Cold Side Division Chairman and on the Executive Board for four years. Del retired after 39 1/2 years. He was a loving husband and caregiver to his wife in her later years until her passing in 2002. Survivors include two daughters, Shirley (Bob) Heimer, Waukon, IA, Joanne (Kenny) Knutson, Austin; eight grandchildren, Kim Mohrfeld, Tony Knutson, Cheryl Kiesau, Scott Heimer, Mary Anderson, Susan Burroughs, Cathy Gelo, Lynette Corkery; 29 great grandchildren; 27 great great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary on August 3, 2002; four brothers; two sisters; a grandson, Marty Heimer. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be a 6:30 pm wake service on Monday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4-8 pm and also one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216. The casket bearers will be Steve Kiesau, Scott Heimer, James Gelo, Dean Burroughs, Joel Anderson, Daniel Heimer, Tony Knutson and Joe Mohrfeld.

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