James Delaney

WEBSTER- James Delaney, 77 of Webster died on Sunday, March 5, 2006 at a Minneapolis, Minnesota hospital. His funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 9, 2006 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Webster, Rev. Jan FitzGibbon officiating. Burial with military rites in Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, 4-7 P.M. with Masonic Rites at 8P.M. at Fiksdal Funeral Service, Webster. James Richard Delaney was born June 1, 1928 to Melvin R. and Alma (Johnson) Delaney at Webster, S.D. He was baptized and confirmed at American Lutheran Church in Webster. After spending a few years in Redfield where Mel was employed by NWPS, the family returned to Webster and Pickerel Lake where Jim would essentially spend the rest of his life. Jim was a three-sport athlete for the Bearcats, playing quarterback on the football team and point guard on the basketball team. Jim played with Bearcat legends Lefty Engebritson, Pete Bedessem, Harvey Hanson, and Chuck Card. They were runners-up to Madison in 1945 and won the State B in 1946. Jim was named to the all-tournament team in 1946. Jim graduated from Webster High School in 1946. After High School, Jim joined the Army and was stationed in Japan. In 1948, Jim enrolled at USD in Vermillion where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration. Jim was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served with the Army in Germany. Jim returned to USD and graduated from the School of Law in 1955. He joined the firm of Bicknell, Holland & Delaney, later known as Delaney, Vander Linden & Delaney, where he practiced law for over 50 years making many lasting friendships with his co-workers, clients and colleagues within the legal profession. Jim married Alice Happe in 1950 and had three children. In 1971, Jim married Margaret Bartos and proudly claimed three step-children as his own. Jim was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Webster, Herbert McKennett Post of the American Legion, the Webster VFW Post, and Coteau Lodge # 54 A.F.A.M. Among many people and things, Jim mostly loved his wife Margaret and the South end of Pickerel Lake. He was an avid bowler and loved to travel to the various events with his bowling buddies. Jim also enjoyed spending time on the golf course and listening to Minnesota Twins broadcasts while working in his yard at the lake. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, co-workers, and clients. Jim passed away on Sunday March 5, 2006 at Minneapolis, Minnesota at the age of 77 years, 9 months, and 4 days. Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Webster, SD; two sons, Kent (Julie) Delaney of Webster, SD and Dave (Annette) Delaney of Fargo, ND; one step-son, Josh (Nancy) Bartos of Webster, SD; one daughter, Lori Bommersbach of Grand Forks, ND; two step-daughters, Jeanne (Mike) Wattier of Yorba Linda, CA and Margo (Jim) Spiering of Watertown, SD; six grandchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.