Delores M. Rovang

Delores M. Rovang, age 92, of Decorah, IA, died Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday November 19, 2015 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. April Ulring Larson officiating. Burial will be in church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 18 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Thursday beginning at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at the church. Delores Melvina (Haugen) Rovang was born on July 17, 1923 at the farm home in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Gjermund and Dinah (Danielson) Haugen. She was baptized at Springfield Lutheran Church on August 8, 1923 and confirmed on May 30, 1937. Delores graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1942 with a Normal School Teaching Certificate. She then taught for one year at a rural country school. Delores was united in marriage to Vernon N. Rovang on her birthday, July 17, 1943 at Springfield Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. This union was blessed with two daughters, Shirley and Betty. Delores worked alongside Vernon on their diary and crop farm. Each day she chased the cows from the fields to the barn, helped in the milking and carried the 10 gallon cans to the coolers. She collected and sold eggs and unloaded hay from many wagons. She was an active member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, a Sunday School teacher for many years, a 4-H leader, Ladies’ Aid President and a trustee for the church. She enjoyed playing Dart ball, going out to eat and visiting with neighbors and friends. Most importantly, she loved being around children. She and Vernon attended many school and church activities for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In July she enjoyed watching her great-grandson who played in an 8th grade baseball game. She loved animals, especially dogs, cats and penguins. Two special stuffed penguins were watching over her in her final days. Her family was all-important to her. She was very fortunate to have them in her heart. Delores was a kind, generous and compassionate friend to many and a very special Mom, Grama and Great-Grama. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Vernon on October 10, 2014; five sisters: Edna Spilde, Genevieve Omdahl, Adeline Bergan, Marian Gjevre and Esther Winger; two brothers, Ivan and Vernon Haugen; and siblings in infancy, Elenore Haugen, Donald and Leonard Haugen. Delores is survived by her two daughters, Shirley (Davis) Johnson and Betty (Bruce) Schuman of Decorah; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren: Darin Johnson, Dakota and Dillan of Decorah, Devin (Carmen) Johnson, Jace and Emma of Decorah, Jarod (Rachel) Schuman, Kennadi, Kelbi and Kooper of Decorah, Jeff (Heather) Schuman, and Aliya of River Falls, WI, and Joelle (Jared) Nielsen, and Maci of Decorah; one sister-in-law, Elsie Haugen of Decorah; and many nieces and nephews.