Delbert Raymond Desrosier, age 84, Crookston, MN, passed away Thursday, March 12, at Riverview Health with loving family by his side.
Delbert was born on February 14, 1942, to Paul and Clara (Page) Desrosier in Crookston, MN. Delbert was the oldest of four boys, and the big brother to Vernon, Larry and Steve, attending Cathedral School and Crookston High School.
On July 1, 1961, Delbert married the love of his life, Evelyn Schmidt, in Red Lake Falls, MN. They made Crookston their home and welcomed four children to their union: Bryan, Brenda, Alan, and Allyson.
Delbert held various jobs at Sanitary Dairy, Crookston Milling, and Heldstab Tire Shop. In 1971, he began his lifelong career at the Polk County Highway Department, working loyally for 31 years and retiring at the age of 57. He then worked part time there for a few summers assisting the mowing crew.
Besides raising four busy kids with Evelyn, another proud accomplishment of Delbert’s was purchasing land in 1980 at Pine Lake near Gonvick, MN. The young family worked hard clearing the woods, building a garage and moving a trailer house in. A few years later, Delbert built his own cabin, a bunk house, and then finally his shop.
Pine Lake was no doubt his favorite place to be driving around in his golf cart checking in on family and friends. He would even tease his kids he may not make it to their weddings as he’d be at the lake. Delbert and Evelyn hosted many fun weekends where the kids and their friends enjoyed water skiing, fishing, sand volleyball, potlucks, dances, and many of the Pine Lake events.
When Delbert relaxed at the lake, he was surrounded by a multitude of lifelong lake friends while enjoying some good story telling together. Being the jack of all trades, he was the go-to person if anyone needed something fixed, or even if they didn’t, he was there offering good advice. As his kids could testify, if you asked for his help, you had better be ready bright and early in the morning.
In his earlier years, he enjoyed deer hunting with close friends and his sons. Delbert was a competitive card player, winning a few smear tournaments and was a regular Bingo player at the VFW and Eagles. Delbert and Evelyn spent two short winters in their mid-retirement years at Lake Havasu, Arizona, but found Crookston and Pine Lake to be their solitude surrounded by all their kids and their families.
A few years ago, Delbert and Evelyn purchased their last Crookston home from one of his smear partner buddies and they proudly completed projects together making this home their own. Even though Delbert was challenged with health issues this past year, everyone knew that until the end, he wanted to get stronger and to soon be at the lake.
Delbert cared deeply for his family and friends, and his laughter, loyalty, and the many phone calls will truly be missed. His memory will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Delbert is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Evelyn; two brothers: Larry Desrosier of White Bear Lake, MN and Steve Desrosier of Thailand; three children: Bryan (Connie) Desrosier, Al (Sandy) Desrosier, Allyson (Paul) Cwikla – all of Crookston; son-in-law Zane Stigen; nine grandchildren: Steven Stene, Holli Pierson, Matt (Sara Hoerner) Desrosier, Chris Desrosier, Tim (Kaytelyn) Desrosier, Kaylee (Nathan) Haechrel, Seth (Emily) Desrosier, Kennedy Cwikla, and Kasey (Nathan) Fortmann; eleven great-grandchildren: Elle and Emma Pierson, Gabe and Grant Desrosier, Bennett, Breelynn and Kashton Desrosier, Rylee Stene, Gavin and Maycie Desrosier, and Leo Harchrel; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Frank and Angela Schmidt; brother, Vernon Desrosier; daughter, Brenda Desrosier; granddaughter, Angela Desrosier; and sister-in-law, Joyce Desrosier.
A memorial service for Delbert will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, 615 S Minnesota St., Crooksotn, MN, with a visitation one hour prior to the service.
