Lenexa, KS – Delores Lavon Forland, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2023 at the age of 87.
Delores was born on July 27, 1935 to Alfred and Clara (Olson) Ranum at the family farm near Viking. She attended elementary school in Viking and graduated from Newfolden High School in 1953.
Delores worked for the Registrar of Deeds at the County Courthouse in Warren when she and Shel started dating.
On November 27, 1954, Delores was united in marriage to Shel Forland. They started their married life together in Thief River Falls, where she worked for the County Auto License Office, a local municipal judge and attorney, and then spent three years working in the office at Land O’ Lakes. They moved to Duluth in 1959 and she worked for two years at the University of Minnesota Duluth. While in Duluth, they became the proud parents of two children. From there, the family moved to Columbia Heights, a suburb of Minneapolis, in 1968. Throughout the 1970s, Delores worked part time at the local school district. She later got a job at the headquarters of Evenson’s Hallmark Cards, worked for Christian author Evelyn Christianson, and finally, for Twin Cities Christian Homes where she became the Director for two different Senior Living facilities. Delores and Shel lived in Minnesota until they retired in 1994 and relocated to Shawnee, Kansas. During the final two years of her life, Delores resided with Shel at Westchester Village in Lenexa, Kansas.
All through her life, Delores was active in her church. She sang solos, duets, trios, and in church choirs. She taught Sunday School and participated in women’s activities. For several years, she was a group leader for Bible Study Fellowship. While living in Minnesota, she and Shel discovered Naples, Florida and they spent many winter months enjoying time there. Delores also became an accomplished china painter during her retirement.
During her adult life, Delores played the piano at home, liked to vacation on cruises, visited many European countries, and spent countless weekends camping with her family and friends. She sewed clothing and did needlepoint, crocheting, and knitting. She was a wonderful cook and always set an impressive decorative table, especially for holiday meals. After moving to Kansas, she loved returning to Minnesota to spend time with her close friends and many relatives.
Delores is survived by her husband of 68 years, Shel; her son, Scott (Mary); and daughter, Jill; as well as grandson, Thomas; and granddaughter, Heidi (Kyle) Forland-Fetty. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret (Del) Lind of Prior Lake; and scores of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
She was predeceased by her parents; and 17 half-brothers and half-sisters.
The Celebration of Life service for Delores will be held at Community Covenant Church, 15700 W. 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Delores will be interred at a later date at Rindal Cemetery near Viking.
A00003B2023AP12