Wahpeton, N.D. - John E. Derry, 73, Wahpeton, N.D., died Friday, July 14, 2006, at St. Catherine's Living Center, Wahpeton. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, July 17, at the Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton with Larry Wilbur officiating, assisted by Rev. Paul Baker of the Evergreen United Methodist Church, Wahpeton. Visitation will be held from 1 until 2 p.m. at the funeral home on Monday. Interment will be held at the Ellendale City Cemetery, Ellendale, N.D. Military Honors will be conducted by the Hafner-Miller-Ross American Legion Post No. 20, and the VFW Post No. 4324, both of Wahpeton. Honorary Casketbearers will be Connor Kerr, Dustin Derry, Kenneth Mueller, Bruce Tiegs, Steve Dale, and Brian Langseth. John Edwin Derry was born June 29, 1933, to Ted and Kristine (Soe) Derry on a farm in McPherson County, S.D., near Forbes, N.D., where he was raised as the youngest of six children. John graduated from Forbes High School in 1951. After high school he joined the U.S. Army where he served honorably for 2 years. He was stationed in Okinawa, and had served during the Korean War. John was honorably discharged in 1955, and returned to the farm near Forbes. He then attended Normal Industrial College for one year at Ellendale, N.D. He married Bette Mueller on Sept. 6, 1956, at the Methodist church in Ellendale. John and Bette moved to Wahpeton in fall 1957 where John attended NDSCS and majored in diesel mechanics. It was here that John and Bette had two of their three children. JoLene was born in 1957 and David in 1959. It was also here where John's true roots were planted, and where he and Bette established their closest friendships. After graduation, he and Bette moved back to Forbes to live on the family farm with John's folks. Here he opened his first mechanics shop. It was the 'hub' of activity and the 'center' for the locals to gather and work on engines and tell tall tales. Their youngest son, Michael, was born in Aberdeen, S.D., in 1962. John was always known for the twinkle in his eye, his quick wit, his expertise at fixing anything that had an engine and his willingness to help - all who needed it whether they asked or not. After much prodding from NDSCS, he decided to return to Wahpeton in 1964 and taught in the diesel mechanics department for the next 27 years. At NDSCS he was known for his ability to diagnose and fix any engine just by listening to it. He was active in the sunflower alternative fuel program, and is still on record with Caterpillar for his efforts and input. His cutaway engines are still on display. It was also at this time that many weekend camping trips were planned with his family and friends to fish, camp, and ski. After retirement he did woodworking as a hobby in Doran, Minn. The "wood shop" became the "hotspot" of Doran, and John always enjoyed the challenge of creating a new piece of furniture someone needed. He also enjoyed numerous fishing trips to Pollack, S.D., with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Bette, Wahpeton; their children, JoLene (Mark) Kerr, Fergus Falls, Minn., David (Diane) Derry, Albertville, Minn., Michael (Sheila) Derry, Rapid City, S.D.; three grandchildren, Carly and Connor Kerr and Dustin Derry; one brother, Ted; one sister, Betty Mae; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ruth and Emeline; and one brother, Sherman.
Published in the Aberdeen News on 7/16/2006.