Delores J. Brekke age 100 of Detroit Lakes, MN died August 16, 2026 at Essentia Health St. Mary's in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Delores Jean Brekke was born on June 26, 1926 on the Burgess Farm near Devils Lake, ND to John and Ellen Carlson Burgess. She was baptized at Bethenia Lutheran Church in Northwood, ND. She went to school in a rural one room schoolhouse until attending and graduating from Devils Lake High School. After high school she spent a year working for the Navy Department in Washington DC during WWII. She enrolled at Concordia College Moorhead MN where she met Donald Wayne Brekke and were united in marriage on June 28, 1947 in Moorhead and spent 65 years together. They made their home in West Fargo, ND. Both Jean and Don were active in church and the town's service organizations. In 1988 they retired to a lake cottage at Big Floyd Lake near Detroit Lakes. She enjoyed her last few years happy and comfortable in the care of Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, MN.

Jean and Don loved to spend time at the lake with family and travel across the US. Together they raised three boys and were enthusiastic supporters of their music and sports activities. Jean went back to school and graduated from Concordia College in 1973 with a degree in Elementary Education and taught in the West Fargo school system until retirement in 1988. She dedicated additional time post-retirement tutoring ESL and GED students with the Lakes Area Learning Center in Detroit Lakes, earning her a Becker County Outstanding Volunteer award in 1997. Jean enjoyed several hobbies including rosemaling and preparing traditional Scandinavian holiday foods.

She is survived by three sons, David (Alice) Brekke of Castle Rock, CO; Dennis (Kris) Brekke of Maple Grove, MN; Daniel (Lori Jo) Brekke of West Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren; Ellen (Taylor) Slaught, Peter Brekke, Andrea (Josh) Conley, Alyssa (Anthony) Larson, Matthew Brekke, Carlie (Kevin) Rinas, and Tara (Josh) Rajdl; six great grandchildren; Bailey Orr, Teagan Conley, Bria and Mari Larson, Brekka and Julian Rinas; and one sister; LuEllen Mayer of Jamestown, ND

She was preceded in death by her husband Don Brekke; granddaughter Leah Brekke; one brother Jack Burgess; and her parents.