Delores V. (Toy) Reigel

Delores V. Reigel, passed into the presence of Jesus on May 14, just one week after her 100th birthday, at Aicota Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minnesota.

Delores was born on May 7th, 1923, to Ira and Eleanor Toy, the oldest of 10 sisters and 3 brothers. Her father worked for the Soo Line. The family moved often, even living for a time in a train depot. These early years deeply influenced her life, developing her true grit and strong work ethic.

Graduating from Marshfield High School, Delores continued her courtship with Harland, a young man she had met at a church youth group called the JOY Club-which stood for Jesus first, Others next, Yourself last. Having accepted Jesus as her Savior, this motto became Delores’s life mission.

The young couple married in 1941and Delores settled into life as a farmer’s wife, and mother, with the arrival of their first child, Sally. Over the years she faithfully supported her husband as they farmed on the Reigel homestead. Harland later returned to school to complete his teaching degree. During this time, she perfected her role as a stay-at-home mother and homemaker, and Nancy, Patricia, Stephen and Daniel were added to the family. She also worked for many years as a home childcare provider.

Delores was a longtime member of East Gate Alliance Church, teaching Sunday School and serving in a variety of roles, and could always be found in the kitchen during special events.

Delores loved travel with her soulmate, spending many winters in Florida. Their trip of a lifetime (and her first airplane ride) was their travel to Argentina to visit Dan and family, serving with the Alliance there.

She loved her grandchildren, baking (her legendary cloverleaf rolls and pies), gardening, letter writing, competitive word games, sending cards, and always serving others.

Delores was a loving wife, mother and grandma, and will be remembered for the way she faithfully and humbly served her Savior. She was kind, thoughtful, generous and hard working. She was most at home behind the scenes quietly doing what was needed. She never forgot a birthday. She loved country living and never seemed to tire of entertaining countless family and friends, surrounded by the beauty of their scenic Hardel Trail residence. There was always room for one more. She had a true servant’s heart.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Harland, of 74 years. Also her parents, Ira and Eleanor (Toy) Morlang, sisters Nellie, Lorraine, Ramona, Charlane, Sharon, and brothers Michael and Ira Jr. Also by her sons Stephen and Daniel Reigel, sons-in-law Duaine Berhow, Gerald Sommer, and Gordon Fisher.

She will be missed by her children Sally Sommer, Nancy Berhow, and Patricia Fisher, daughters in-law Leslie Reigel and Lorraine Reigel. Her siblings Alice Balmer, Joan Pryor, Janet Hasti, Teckla (Merle) Shaylor and Charles (Sharon) Toy. Also grandchildren David Sommer, Rebecca (Sommer) Krage, Sara (Berhow) Broze, Katherine (Berhow) Holman, Tracy (Berhow) Maddy, Todd Berhow, Emily (Fisher) Crowder, Rachel (Fisher) Rydberg, Andrew Reigel, Hannah (Reigel) Chandler, Caroline (Reigel) Tranchell, 25 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 20th at East Gate Alliance Church with visitation starting at 10:00, preceding the 11:00 am service. Burial will be at Brooklawn Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Memorials to East Gate Alliance Church are preferred.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Delores V. (Toy) Reigel, please visit our floral store.