Norbert Eugene Delhaute
Marriages
Marie Alice Rexer - August 3, 1946
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - June 28, 2014
February 25, 1918 - June 23, 2014
Norbert (Del) was born on a small farm in Upland, Nebraska. When the family moved to Denver, he managed a Texaco Station until he enlisted in the Army just prior to World War II. He was injured and spent rehab time in southern France, and then returned to active duty in North Africa until the end of the war. During the War, he corresponded with his sweetheart Marie Alice Rexer. Norbert returned home and married Marie on August 3, 1946 in Alexandria, LA. They were just months short of their 68th year anniversary . He and Marie received on their 60th Wedding Anniversary an Apostolic Blessing from the Holy Father Benedict XVI.
Norbert came to Steamboat on his honeymoon to manage a jewelry store and in a short while bought the store that was to become Del’s Jewelry, a family business with his wife working alongside of him. Norbert attended schooling to become a certified Gemologist. Even though he tried to retire several times, he would always be available to help with a special order or put a battery in a watch for an old customer until just a few months prior to his passing.
Norbert and Marie had six children. “Del” was devoted to God, his wife, his children and his community. He was a founding member of the Steamboat Knights of Columbus Council #4462. He was a Fourth Degree Knight and helped with the annual St. Patricks’ Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. He was a member of the Steamboat Springs Lions Club for 68 years, holding all offices and just recently received the International Melvin Jones Award. You could always see him working the 4th of July pancake breakfast or selling Christmas trees or helping with the Roving Christmas Tree. He was active in many other Steamboat functions and boards and became a Steamboat Icon. Norbert loved to attend Gem and Jewelry tradeshows, fish and work in his garden and his greenhouse. He had quite a green thumb for orchids. He also loved to visit his Arkansas Ranch and once tried to retire there but, the weather conditions were not like the Rocky Mountains. A little known secret was he loved to sing and at one time sang in a quartet in Father Bosetti’s choir at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Denver.
Norbert is survived by his wife Marie; daughter Celeste Bacon; daughter Jeannette McCarty (Pat); son Paul; daughter Cecelia Delhaute Riffe (Bernt) and son David along with many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Jerome.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, to make donations in his name to the Holy Name Catholic Church Building Fund where something special will be chosen in his honor.
