Delores G. Clute

Delores Clute, 82, Tolna N.D., died quickly and unexpectedly from pneumonia on September 29, 2010 at NCHS Hospital.

Delores Georgiana Omlie was born on November 17, 1927 to Ole and Mabel (Cartwright) Omlie. She grew up and graduated from Tolna High School in 1946. After attending Valley City State College, Delores began her 32 year teaching career. Her passion for music, teaching, and children grew to the day she died. Delores met the Superintendent, Charles Clute, when she accepted her teaching position in Tolna. She fell deeply in love and married Charles on June 10, 1950. They laughed, loved, and lived through 41 years of marriage while raising their two sons, Steven and Michael. They taught together in Tolna, Hampden, Devils Lake, Crary, Egeland, and Adams N.D. for a combined 72 years. Charles died on Oct. 6, 1991 and Delores lived on the love she shared with him and her family for the final 19 years of her life. Delores was always positive and never stopped loving, believing, dreaming, and working. Through her career and her retirement, she touched people everywhere with kindness, strength, energy, humor, caring, and passion. She thought of others first, and made everyone feel important. "Yes you can" were her favorite words. No project was too large, nor anyone's need too small for her to give time to make a difference. Even after eight decades of life she was excited to charge into both opportunities and challenges. She loved Tolna, helped with everything, and left the world waiting for approval of a grant to help build a positive, healthy future for her home town. Delores attended thousands of college, school, and traveling games, programs, concerts, and special events while supporting her grandchildren and all the other children that she loved to know. Her grandkids always wanted more time with Grandma. She loved God with incredible faith that led her to smile on her final ambulance ride to the hospital. All of us will miss her. Delores loved her friends, gave lots, and asked little. She was involved in many different activities including: Mother, Grandmother, Church President, City Council, Republican Party District Chairwoman, Church Organist, American Legion Women's Auxiliary, Toastmasters, Political Lobbyist, Play Writer and Director, Horizon Program Leadership, HomeMakers President, Garden Club President, Piano Teacher, H.S. Choir and Band Director, Doll Collector, Grant Writer, Seamstress, Baker, Traveler, Lecturer, Basketball Coach, Cub Scout Leader and honored CMA attendee.

Delores is survived by her two sons, Steve (Ann) Clute, Hawley, MN, and Michael (Laurie) Clute, Nashville, TN; seven grandchildren - Eric, Charles, Joran, Gregory, James, Chad, and Kyrsten Clute.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; father and mother, Ole and Mabel Omlie; and brother, Duaine Omlie.

The Funeral Service for Delores will be held at the American Lutheran Church, Tolna, on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Tolna Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home, Lakota, on Monday, October 4, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.