Delbert Donald Gifford

Delbert D. Gifford, 85, of Waterloo, Iowa and formerly of Arlington died on Thursday morning, November 3, 2016 at Bickford Cottage in Cedar Falls.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Monday, November 7, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church, Arlington with Pastor Margaret Yackel-Juleen officiating.
Visitation: 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. on Sunday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington and for one hour before the service on Monday at the church.
Interment: Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington, Iowa with military honors by the Dean-Harkin American Legion Post #219 of Arlington.
A Memorial Fund has been established in his name.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Delbert Donald Gifford was born on January 25, 1931 at rural Arlington, Iowa, the son of Fred Bessmer & Elizabeth Marie (Seedorff) Gifford. He graduated from Arlington High School in the Class of 1949. Delbert served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Delbert was united in marriage to Shirley Pearl Belden on April 23, 1960 at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington. Delbert was a lifelong farmer in the Arlington area. In their retirement, Delbert and Shirley moved to Waterloo in 2005. Delbert was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the Dean-Harkin American Legion Post #219 of Arlington. He enjoyed playing cards, going for walks and most of all spending time with his family.

Delbert is survived by his wife: Shirley Gifford of Waterloo;
son: Duane (Judi) Gifford of New Hartford;
daughter: Cindy (Steve) Bentley of Oelwein;
4 grandchildren: Christopher (Melissa) Gifford, Danielle (Mat) Prather, Callie Gifford and Bethany Bentley (Dane Reedus); and
4 great grandchildren: Skylar and Andrew Hall and Joshua and Walter Prather.

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents and a sister at birth.