Delphine Howard

Delphine Maurine Howard, age 83, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2022, with her daughter, Kari, at her side. Delphine was born in Pine River on July 22, 1938, to Irv and Alma (Semmler) Howard. She grew up in Pine River, attended school there, and after graduation moved to the Twin Cities where she was employed with the ELCA. She married her first husband, Keith Johnson, in 1964. The had two children, a daughter, Kari, and a son, Darrin. They bought a home in Anoka, and when they divorced Delphine took a job as the church secretary at Zion Lutheran,
which she held for 15 years. Delphine married Ken Dahlstrom in 1988 and continued to live in Anoka. They moved to Blackduck for a time, and Delphine moved back to Pine River after they divorced. She then worked at TDS in Pequot Lakes until her retirement. She had a very outgoing personality and was never at a loss for a snappy comeback. Delphine was a talented musician, both as a vocalist and pianist, and played and sang at many weddings and funerals, along with playing and singing regularly at church.

Delphine was preceded in death by her parents; son, Darrin; ex-husbands, Keith and Ken; and brother-in-law, Allen Zaske. She is survived by her daughter, Kari Ziebarth and her husband, Wayne; 3 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren, with another on the way; and sister, Dolores Zaske of Pine River; along with nieces and nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 8, at 1:00 pm at First Lutheran Church in Pine River, with Pastor Jacob Burkman officiating.