Delbert Lloyd Block

HUSON ~ Delbert L. Block passed into the presence of his living Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, October 9, 2023. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) He left his physical body, and his spirit entered the eternal presence of Jesus Christ.  He had numerous aches and ailments yet never complained about the pain he was in, and he peacefully passed away at home in his comfortable recliner.

 He was born on November 2, 1937, in Warroad, MN to John & Luella Block.   As the second son with 6 wonderful siblings, Delbert grew up in Northern Minnesota where he learned to farm, fish, and hunt.  As a young child at age seven, Delbert made a decision to accept Jesus for the redemption of his soul.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Delbert and his older brother Jack worked for area farmers as teens while growing up in northern Minnesota. During the fall, they had to work to get the crops in and so the basketball season always started late for them.  He graduated from Williams High school in 1955 and joined the National Guard. Then he worked at Lund’s Motors in Baudette, MN as Parts Manager before moving to the Twin Cities. He lived with his brother Warren, and worked for Twin Cities Industrial Sprinkler Co. 

Delbert married the only love of his life, Jeanette Larson on October 5, 1963.  They had just celebrated 60 years of marriage. What a blessing!  Their first-born son, Robert, was born in Minnesota and then a year later Del & Jeanette moved to Montana in the fall of 1965.  They followed other family who had moved here because of all the stories Del’s dad had shared with the family of his experience in 1929 fighting fires out of Nine-mile Ranger Station in beautiful Western Montana.  They had two daughters in Montana, Rebekah and Ronna.  

Delbert began his long career for John Deere dealerships by working at Davies Equipment in Ronan where he worked for 12 years. During that time Del helped run the store and helped so many ranchers and farmers all over western Montana.  We affectionately called him “Western Montana’s Parts Peddler”, which was the title on his business cards. He could pick out and remember whatever part was needed correctly without looking it up!  He had a real gift for numbers!  After 12 years he was asked to come to the Missoula John Deere store (Davies Farm Supply) to manage their parts department.  Delbert moved his family to the Huson/Frenchtown area where they raised their children.   Delbert was especially grateful for Ken Williams and family who continued the John Deere tradition in Missoula with Triple W Equipment.   He worked there until he retired in 2009 after having a “little” hospital visit.  He apparently did not want a retirement party so ended up spending 2 weeks at the hospital with empyema(pneumonia) instead. We are so grateful he recovered and had many more years with him.  

Del greatly enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling etc. with his Block brothers and children all over Montana throughout the years in God’s beautiful creation!  He also enjoyed collecting John Deere toys.  It was always a joy for Delbert to be operating and fixing up his John Deere equipment, as well as fixing up his old ’66 GMC pickup with son Robert, and enjoying his ’56 Oldsmobile along with fixing up old tractors. Del loved old cars and all the brothers sure enjoyed racing cars on long stretches of highway in northern Minnesota. What a wonderful life!

But Delbert’s main love was his love for Jesus! Our husband, father, grandfather & great-grandfather would want anyone reading this to ask yourself if you have repented of your sins and asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior!  You can know for certain your eternal destination when your physical life is over. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)   Only by trusting in the risen Christ alone can you be saved from God’s righteous judgment for your sin. Jesus Christ’s victorious salvation has brought Delbert into Christ’s loving presence in Heaven for all eternity.  Delbert was steadfast his whole life in being such a Godly example for his family!  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Del was preceded in death by his parents, John & Luella Block and his brother Peter Block.  He is survived by his wife Jeanette of 60 years, son Robert (Michelle) Block, daughter Rebekah (Renn) Mangun, daughter Ronna (Owen) Zeumer, brother John (Marlyn) Block,  sister Deloris Block, brother Warren (Darlyne) Block, brother Paul Block and sister Jane (William) Western.  His 10 grandchildren include: Rob (Fabi)Block, Ashley (Brock) Jones, Matt (Hannah) Block, Ross (Elizabeth) Mangun, Ryan (Natalie) Mangun, Rilee Mangun, Ian Zeumer, Isaac Zeumer, Isaiah Zeumer, and Isabella Zeumer along with 8  great grandchildren, Ellie, Eamon, William, Elowen, Jack, Maggie, Ellis & Oliver along with numerous nieces and nephews.

 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15)

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 3 PM at Frenchtown Community church, 16250 Mullan Road, Frenchtown, MT 59834