Memorial services for Earl Delano ‘Del’ Wood, 86, of Cresbard, SD, will be 2:30 pm, Monday, May 13, 2019 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pastor Rhia Strohm officiating. Del passed away peacefully Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Faulkton Area Medical Center.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Earl Delano (Del) Wood was born May 6, 1933 to Floyd R. and Alma (Batteen) Wood at the family farm 4 miles west of Chelsea, SD. He was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chelsea and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran in Cresbard.
Del attended a one room country school for 7 years and then went to Cresbard and graduated in 1951. He attended SDSC for two years majoring in Ag, however, the Korean War broke out and his brother Vernon was drafted. Del came home to help run the farm.
In January 1955 Del enlisted in the US Army and served in the Veterinary Food Inspection Service for 34 months active duty-23 months in Japan. Back home!
Del got his herd of registered Polled Herefords back home-the herd was started as Woodcrest Farms in 1947 with one heifer as a 4-H project. 4-H was a big part of Del’s life for many years beginning in 1943. Through the years he won many state and national awards including a trip to National 4-H camp in Washington, DC. After 12 years as a member, Del became a 4-H leader for about 15 years. He was inducted into the SD 4-H Hall of Fame in 2005.
Del married Ruth Ablin in 1963 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. Three children were born to this union – Wendy in 1966, Cindy in 1967 and Steven in 1970.
Del was active in local pursuits. He helped organize the Faulk County Conservation District and served on the first board of supervisors as President. He also served on church and township boards.
Del held lifetime memberships in the American Hereford and Polled Hereford Associations. Del was a member of SD Hereford Association for 60 plus years and received the Seedstock Producer of the Year award in 2014.
Del was proud of his children who graduated from SDSU with degrees in AG. All are currently engaged in production agriculture in North Central SD.
Del and Ruth traveled extensively for many years in North America and overseas-Japan, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Germany, England, France, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and the Netherlands.
Del’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes be spread on the big Polled Hereford pasture where the Pasque flowers bloom each spring.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Vernon and two brother-in laws, Henry Ablin and Ralph Ablin.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, 3 children, Wendy (Vaughn) Thorstenson, Cindy (Darwin) Aman, and Steven (Rene) Wood. Eleven grandchildren, Gina Thorstenson, Jana Thorstenson, and Kara Thorstenson, Kendra (Greg) Fred, Andrew Aman, Sam (Audra) Aman and Alex Aman, Zack Jessee, Hunter (Haley Daughters) Wood, Nick (Macy Olson) Wood and Seth Wood. One great-granddaughter, Hazel Wood. Brother in-law Ted (Joanne) Ablin, Sisters in law, Judy Ablin and Lois Ablin.
