Delmont Louis "Del" Cournia, 82, of Crookston died early Sunday afternoon, January 21, 2001 at the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home in Crookston.

Del was born at Crookston on January 7, 1919 to son of Louis and Ann (Mulvaney) Cournia. He was baptized and confirmed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, grew up on the family's Fairfax Township farm, and attended county school. He took over the operation of the family farm from his father as a very young man.

Del was united in marriage to Lorraine E. Chappuis at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Crookston on October 19, 1943. Del and Lorraine made their home in Crookston, while Del continued farming until his retirement in 1983. In retirement they enjoyed doing a great deal of traveling. They also wintered in Mesa, Arizona, from 1979 until 1999, when Del's health made the trip no longer possible.

He was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish, and also belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He was a 50 year plus member of Crookston Eagles Aerie #873, belonged to the Elks Lodge, and had been a volunteer fireman for more than 20 years. Del loved being a farmer and it was not only his life's work, but his hobby as well. And though he may have retired in 1983, in his own heart that didn't really happen until this past Sunday afternoon. Del will be sadly missed and lovingly remember by his family and many friends.

Loving family members include Lorraine, his wife of 57 years; a son and daughter in law, Robert and Linda Cournia of Crookston; a daughter, Barbara Cournia of Crookston; three grandchildren, Chris Cournia and his wife Pam, Michelle Erdmann and her husband Rod, and Rebecca Cournia, all of Crookston; six great grandchildren, Lindsay, Caitlyn, and Ian Cournia, and Amber, Justin and Ashleigh Erdmann, a brother and sister in law, Louis and Nancy Cournia Jr. of Crookston; five sisters and four brothers in law, Loretta and H.T. "Doc" Welter of Crookston, Madonna Moran of Hemet, California, Margaret and Melvin Podevels of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rose Marie and Marvin Torgerson of Racine, Wisconsin, and Anna Mae and John Sullivan of Ankeny, Iowa; a sister in law, Eleanor Cournia of Crookston; two brothers in law, Art Pretory of Hemet and Bernard Palubicki of Perham, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Del was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, LeRoy Cournia; and three sisters, Esther Palubicki, Betty Pretory, and LaVonne Hoeft.