Delores Wiisanen of Moorhead, Minn., died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Farmstead Care with family by her side. She was 97. 
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead. The service will be live-streamed on Delores’ page at www.wrightfuneral.com. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, followed by a Wake Service at 6 p.m., at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. Monday at the church. A graveside service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Moorhead.
Delores Margaret VanVleet was born Sept. 24, 1927, to William and Mathilda VanVleet in Kimball where she grew up and graduated from high school in 1945. She attended the State Teachers College (now St. Cloud State University) before moving to Minneapolis and working at Land O’Lakes.
On July 31, 1948, Delores married Evert Wiisanen in Kimball, and they made their first home in Minneapolis. In 1952, they moved to Moorhead to raise their family, and they quickly became active members of the community. Although Evert was known as the sports enthusiast, you would always find Delores by his side at Moorhead Spud and MSUM Dragon athletic events. She also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Moorhead Country Club, Christian Mothers, and she volunteered at MeritCare (now Sanford), and she also was an election poll worker.
Delores started golfing and downhill skiing when she turned 50. She enjoyed dancing and, most of all, she loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.
Delores will be remembered mostly by her love of family, her feistiness, and her sense of humor which she carried with her to the end. Delores kept us entertained with her wit throughout the years, and it’s hard to imagine a world without her.
Delores was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and four siblings.
She is survived by her children Diana (and William) Christianson of Bloomington, Ron (and Vicki) Wiisanen of Fargo, N.D., Pam Wiisanen Gronbeck (and Brian Kuehl) of Moorhead, Denise (and Jeff) Kamstra of Fargo, N.D.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Stephanie (and Jason) Yoraway and sons Brandon and Tyler; Matthew Wiisanen (and Kelly Brogan) and children Maya, Anya and Kai; Michael (and Devon) Wiisanen and sons Dane and Gavin; Amanda (and Josh) Kadrmas and daughters Zoey, Quinn and Mallory; Jeffrey (and Keiran) Wiisanen and children Grayson, Keegan and Elin; Kyle (and Samantha) Gronbeck and son Gabe; Jenna Johnson; and Sean Kamstra.
The family would like to thank the Farmstead staff and Sanford Hospice for the exceptional levels of care they provided Delores when she needed it most. Memorials may be sent to Sanford Hospice.