General Information
Full Name: Gilbert “Gib” J. Delbow
Date of Birth: October 9, 1921
Date of Death: March 2, 2014
Gilbert “Gib” J. Delbow
A life-long resident of Shakopee, Gilbert John Delbow, age 92, with his loving family present at his side, entered the eternal arms of God, early Sunday afternoon, March 2, 2014, at Friendship Manor Nursing Home, in Shakopee, MN. The family will greet guests on Wednesday, March 5, from 4-7 pm and Thursday, March 6, from 9:30-10:30 am, ALL at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, March 6 at 11 am, at the Parish of St. Joachim and Anne (St. Mark Church) 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee. Father Peter Wittman will preside. His family will be the urn bearers. Gib will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Patricia and daughter Linda, at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Gib’s memory by the family.
On October 9, 1921, in a little house in Shakopee, MN, Gib was born to parents Edward and Rose (Spielmann) Delbow. Attending St. Mark Catholic School, Gib also served from the first grade on, as an altar server for the church. His first job was delivering the Pioneer Press newspaper. Gib played shortstop for the St. Mark’s School baseball team. Entering high school, he and his friends played baseball, basketball and football. Gib graduated from Shakopee High School in 1940.
In August of 1942, Gib enlisted into the United States Navy. Completing basic training in April of 1943, his journey took into the heart of the World War II. Most of his time was spent on the island of Velle La Vella. Gib served as Navy plane mechanic for “Pappy” Boyington and the Black Sheep Squadron. Shortly after returning from the service, Gib’s career was spent working for Cargill in Savage. He retired in 1982, after 36 years.
Attending a dance in Jordan, Gib asked a pretty young gal, Patricia Schmidt, to dance. On January 24, 1948 at the Church of St. Mary, they exchanged wedding vows. Pat was so thoughtful and such a caring wife. They were blessed with three children, Linda, Brenda and Kevin. Setting their roots in Shakopee, Gib and Pat later built a home in 1958. As a family, they enjoyed vacationing on the north shore each summer. As a couple, they have fond memories going down town Shakopee with family and friends, enjoying each other’s company.
Kevin, Gib’s son, introduced him to the game. He played for over 24 year. Gib played in the Keenagers Golf League, with close friends. Gib also enjoyed playing many rounds with his family. In his later years, Gib and Pat enjoyed playing Flume. He and son-in-law, Charlie also played on a Flume League for over 15 years. Over this time, Gib became an extremely talented player and everyone wanted him as a partner.
The biggest passion in Gib’s life was his family. He was so proud of his life wife, Pat. She always had this great attitude living with a disability for over 60 years and took everything in stride. Gib relished being a dad, grandpa and great-grandpa. He felt fortunate to have such a wonderful family and was proud of who they were and what they accomplished. But on November 1, 2013, Gib’s heart was broken when Pat left his side, after 65 years of marriage, and was reunited with his daughter Linda in heaven.
Gib was a loving, caring and generous husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa. Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Gib; daughter, Brenda (Charlie) Fonder of Shakopee; son, Kevin (friend Deb) Delbow of Eden Prairie; grandchildren, Jeff (special friend, Melissa Sames and her boys Riley and Brady) Fonder, Taylor (Heather) Wells, Eric (Jillian) Fonder, Corey (Katrina) Fonder, Emily Wells (fiancé Nick Fenske); great-grandchildren, Baylee Wells, Natalya Wells, Anna Fonder, Emily Fonder, James Fonder, Madison Fonder; son-in-law, Byron Wells; brother, Kenneth Delbow of Shakopee; sister-in-law, Marge Delbow of Shakopee; other relatives and friends.
Gib is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat (2013); daughter, Linda Wells (1990); brothers, Robert (Bernice) Delbow, Edward Delbow; and sister, Ruth (Weston) Dahl; sister-in-law, Lorraine Delbow.
The Delbow family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, Shakopee. www.BallardSunderFuneral.com
Visitation
When: Wedneday, March 5, 2014, 4-7pm
Also visitation Thursday 9:30-10:30am
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 833 South Marschall Road
Shakopee, MN 55379
Service Information
When: Thursday, March 6, 2014, 11:00am
Location: The Parish of Saints Joachim and Ann
(St. Mark’s Catholic Church)
Address: 350 South Atwood St.
Shakopee, MN 55379
Interment
Shakopee Catholic Cemetery
