Delmer Surma

Delmer "Del" Surma, age 86 of Little Falls, MN passed away Thursday, January 8, 2009 at his home in Little Falls Township, Morrison County, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 12, 2009 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Sunday and Monday from 8:00-11:00 A.M. at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, Southeast Chapel, in Little Falls. Parish prayers will be held at 5:30 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral chapel. Military Rites will be conducted by Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Delmer "Del" Surma was born April 20, 1922 in Bowlus, Morrison County, MN to the late Stanley and Mary (Schwientek) Surma. He grew up in the Bowlus area where he attended elementary school. Del graduated from Royalton High School with the Class of 1941. Following high school, Del worked for McDonald-Douglas. He entered the United States Army Air Force at Fort Snelling, MN on December 18, 1942, serving during WWII. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the American Theater Service Medal. Del received an Honorable Discharge on February 14, 1946 at Camp McCoy, WI. After returning from the military, he worked for C.L. Stodolka Construction Company. Del and Mary Ann Stodolka were united in marriage on November 29, 1947 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton, MN. Following their marriage, Del and Mary Ann made their home in Little Falls, MN. He became a partner in Surma Brothers Construction, which was later incorporated into Falls Paving. In 1969, Falls Paving became Tri-City Paving. Del enjoyed spending the summers with his wife, MaryAnn, at their home in Little Falls, at their lake cabin on Lake Alexander and wintering at their home in Sun City, AZ. He loved golfing, enjoyed gambling, fishing, hunting and maintaining his properties with his tractors. Del was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, Knights of Columbus and was a life member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 in Little Falls. Del is survived by his wife, MaryAnn; sons and daughters, Gary (Toni) Surma of Williamsburg, VA, Bette (Kent) Duckworth of Polson, MT, Jack (Mary) Surma of Little Falls, MN, Teri (Peter) Brenny of Staples, MN, Jeff (Debbie) Surma of Richland, WA, Dan (Bridget) Surma of Cushing, MN and Lynn (Randy) Tabatt of Little Falls, MN; 15 Grandchildren; brother, Bob (Iris) Surma of St. Cloud, MN and a sister-in-law, Marcella Surma of Royalton, MN. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ann Surma, in 1969; parents, Stanley & Mary Surma and brothers, Merrence, Mark and Stanley Surma. Honorary Pallbearers are his granddaughters, Maria Surma-Manka, Jennifer Surma, Lindsay Duckworth, Brittany Brenny, Shae Tabatt & Claire Surma. Casket Bearers are his grandsons, Adam Surma, Jason Surma, Cole Brenny, Brandon Surma, Brian Surma, Kiel Duckworth, Zach Tabatt, Ben Surma & Luke Surma.