Idella C. "Del" Rumpza
February 19, 2022

The world lost a great lady on Feb. 19 when Idella C. “Del” Rumpza died peacefully at her apartment in Elder Homestead of Minnetonka. Born June 13, 1923, to Peter and Caroline Elsen, she was known as “Del” by all and lived most of her life in the Delano area. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan J. Rumpza, in 1982.

Memories of Del abound. She was a full partner in the family dairy farming operation on Highway 92 between Maple Plain and Delano. She was an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Delano, including choir. She was active in 4-H leadership, she was a prolific gardener/canner, the farm bookkeeper, seamstress, and handy with crochet and knitting. Whenever the word was out that the Jules Herman Orchestra was making an appearance at the Medina Ballroom, Del and Harlan would pull together a group of friends and relatives for a night of dancing. Throughout her life, she was always ready for a card game. Competitive? Yes.

Del is survived by her children William (Liz) Rumpza, Janet (Roger) Weness, Robert Rumpza (Gail Morrison), Bruce (Diane) Rumpza, Brian Rumpza and Mary Poss (Pat McDonald), all living in Minnesota. Her grandchildren are Wendy (Doug) Helm, Scott (Cassie) Weness, Jill Weness, Joella Rumpza, Michael Rumpza, Karin Rumpza (Kari de Jong), Keith (Mindy) Rumpza, Megan (Tyler) Farmer, David Rumpza, Patrick Rumpza (Alexandria Voss), Andrea Rumpza, John Rumpza, Rebecca Rumpza, Rachael (Nate) Nelson, Taylor Poss, Ryan Poss and Anna Poss. Her much-loved great-grandchldren are Max, Eli, Riley, Marissa, Reece, Ava, Frankie, Logan and Collin.

Del was proud of her Dutch heritage, as her father emigrated to the U.S. from The Netherlands as a teenager. She sang the Dutch celebration song “Lang zal ze leven” at dozens of family birthdays, weddings, graduations and even funerals.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at the Parish of St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Peter Campus, in Delano. Visitation occured on Tuesday from 10-11 a.m., prior to the Mass, in St. Martha’s Hall of St. Peter Campus. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery in Delano.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent in her honor to Allina Hospice Foundation, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55422.

The Mass was live steamed until YouTube suffered a technical glitch.