Kenneth Edward DeLap

Kenneth Edward DeLap, retired Dickinson, ND, dentist, passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2012, at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. Respecting Ken's wishes, there will be a private family service. Burial will be in Thief River Falls, MN. To all of his friends, his wish was that you spend time with your loved ones doing the things together that you enjoy the most. Ken was born on April 16, 1940, in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Edward and Illa Nicholson DeLap. He was raised and educated in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1958. He attended the University of North Dakota where he played basketball and tennis and belonged to the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He graduated from UND in 1962 with a teaching degree. Ken taught chemistry and senior science at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS, and coached sophomore football from 1962 – 1964. In 1964, Ken and Jeanette "Jean" Moore were married in Kansas City, KS. They moved to Minneapolis, MN, where Ken attended University of Minnesota Dental School, graduating with a DDS degree in 1968. From 1968 – 1970, Ken served as a Captain in the US Army. He was stationed in Pittsburgh, PA, at the medical facility that serviced staff at the Nike Base and retired military in the Pittsburgh area. He was honorably discharged in September 1970. Ken practiced dentistry in Moorhead, MN, for one year after the service until he could take the exams for his ND Dental License. In July 1971 he moved his family to Dickinson, ND, where he practiced until retiring due to poor health in 1997. He was a partner in the Hansen & DeLap Dental Clinic. He was a member of the American Dental Association, North Dakota Dental Association, West Slope District Dental Society, United Methodist Church, Roughrider Bowhunter's Association, Slope Area Rifle and Pistol Club, Dickinson Duplicate Bridge Club, Ducks Unlimited, and NRA. Ken was an avid hunter and fisherman; he spent many wonderful days in the ND Badlands and at McKenzie Bay on Lake Sakakawea. He loved to play duplicate bridge, whist, and chess. Honored to have shared his life are his wife, Jean; his daughter, Susan DeLap and her family, Matthew and Kaitlyn Musser; his son, Steven DeLap and his family, April Fairfield DeLap and Kennedy DeLap; his siblings, Janet Griffith, Roger Carol DeLap, Gordy Carole DeLap, all of Thief River Falls, MN, and Paula Terese DeLap of Minneapolis, MN; four nieces and one nephew and their families; his uncle, Earl Nicholson of Tustin, CA; and his in-laws, Harold and Blanche Moore of Shawnee, KS. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Illa DeLap; his aunts and uncles, Lawrence Nicholson, Irene Saustad, Jessie Rehder, Lucille Boos, Esther Tikin, and Geneva Jordan; and his cousins, Bruce Saustad, Jerry Rehder, and Joan Rehder. In lieu of flowers, memorials for an education scholarship may be sent to the Kenneth DeLap Memorial Fund, 1802 Santa Gertrudis Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503, or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to express our appreciation to the caring nurses and doctors at St. Alexius Medical Center. A special thank you to Dr. Kriengkrairut and Dr. Feijo.

Kenneth Edward DeLap

April 16, 1940 - December 8, 2012