Delila Scheff

Delila Jane Kress Scheff, 97, died Jan. 24, 2022, in Billings. She was born March 4, 1924, to Maria and George Kress. She was number seven in a family of 12 children, five girls and seven boys, on the family farm in Ambrose, N.D. Her father died when the family was young and her mother and the siblings took over the workings of the farm.

She met her husband, Claude A. Scheff, in high school and they were married for 66 years. She kept the home fires burning while he was away at war for almost three years. He worked for the Farmers Elevators in Alexander and Tioga, N.D., Froid, Culbertson and Fairview while she was a homemaker and cooked for local schools and the hospital in Culbertson. They had three children. Gary Scheff of Arizona, Greg Scheff of Alaska and Cammy Lien of Billings. Claude died in 2009 and, ultimately, she moved with Cammy and Ed to Billings, where she resided until her death.

She always had an appreciation for family tradition. For example, on her 50th wedding anniversary, she wore a dress made by her sister, “Toots” (Lillian) Stubbe. All five girls of the family wore the yellow dress for their 50th wedding anniversaries.

She will always be remembered most for her life of generosity. Even at the age of 96 years, she knitted hundreds of hats for the homeless in Billings, donated through Peace Lutheran Church. Throughout her life, she was active in the church and, as such, enjoyed lutefisk and lefsa. She was a wonderful seamstress and, in addition to clothing, made many quilts and slippers enjoyed still by her children and grandchildren. She also made countless beautiful greeting and thank you cards. Her schoolteachers would be very proud of her beautiful penmanship.

She was always one to plan ahead. Fifteen years ago, she announced she was shopping for her funeral dress.

She was preceded in death by 10 siblings; and her son, Greg, who died in an airplane crash in Alaska in 2016.

She is survived by one brother, Russell Kress of Minot, N.D.; son, Gary; daughter, Cammy; four grandsons; and 10 great-grandchildren.

No services have been planned at this time.