Delbert Dale Kroschel

Delbert Dale Kroschel
May 4, 1934 ~ November 13, 2017
Delbert Dale Kroschel, 83, passed away on November 13, 2017 at his home on Spring Creek Mesa in Montrose, Colorado with his family at his side.
Delbert was born on May 4, 1934 to Thelma Mosher and Edwin Kroschel in Del Norte, Colorado. He attended elementary school in Del Norte until the family moved to Saguache where he graduated the eighth grade. In 1948 the family moved to Montrose, Colorado, where Delbert started his freshman year at Montrose High School. He graduated with the class of 1952.
Delbert worked one summer at Black Canyon Monument. He also worked a summer for Holy Cross Electric at Glenwood Springs, Colorado digging holes for electric poles. In between summer jobs he tried farming on his folks adobe farm. He soon gave that up.
After receiving notice that he would soon be drafted into the United States Army, Delbert decided to enlist and take advantage of the GI Bill when he returned home. He enlisted and was inducted on January 21, 1955 and was discharged on January 21, 1957 after serving one year in Korea as a pole lineman helping to restore telephone lines to that war torn country. He was proud to have served his country.
Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to go back to school he met and married his life partner, Connie Louise Hicks, in a whirlwind courtship. They eloped and were married in Aztec, New Mexico on July 14, 1957. Three sons were born to them; Glenn in 1958, Dean in 1962, and Jeff in 1963.
Delbert worked in the saw mills and planer mills in Montrose and was a certified lumber grader for 36 years. After he retired they took their first vacation. They worked the small ranch they had bought in 1961.
Delbert enjoyed making toys and other items out of wood. He loved making toy cars and doll highchairs, benches and stools. He started gardening when he was eight years old. He always had a big garden. He grew beautiful vegetables and he and Connie sold them in their small vegetable stand in front of their home on the honor system. Delbert loved all animals and especially his little white dog, Tucker, who was his partner and protector. He loved to fish and deer hunt. He provided his family with winter meat for years.
Delbert is survived by his wife and three sons; also seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He is also survived by six brothers, Curtis, Raymond, Dale, Kenneth, Timmy Kroschel and Howard Lilly, and two sisters, Judy McCabe and Rella Jones. He is preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Dorothy Mosher Kroschel Lilly, his father Edwin Emil Kroschel, step-father Walter Lilly, his brothers Norman and Edwin Kroschel and a baby daughter.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service in celebration of Delbert’s life will be held on Friday, November 17th at 1:00 pm at Crippin Chapel with interment to take place at the Olathe Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope West Hospice, 724 S. 4th, Montrose, CO 81401. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.