Della Mae Fey

Della Mae Fey, 94, of Minnesota City, MN, passed away gently and quietly at her and Janelle’s home on Marval Drive, on October 19, 2025.

Della was born March 31, 1931 to Joseph and Blanche Roland on their dairy farm in rural Zumbro Falls, MN. She completed high school in Minnesota and continued her education in Miltonvale, Kansas. There, she met Francis Fey and they were married at the South Troy Wesleyan Church on September 2, 1949.

Della and Francis moved to Cleveland, Ohio for a time then back to Minnesota, and eventually settled in South Dakota. There, they raised six children on their family dairy, small grain and beef cattle operation. She worked side by side with Francis while raising the kids, helped with Francis’ NFO duties, and served as treasurer for the NFO Chapter.

She was a gifted organist and pianist and played for many churches over her lifetime. In the 70s, she started an interior decoration, drapery, and upholstery business. Her tagline was “Beautify with Della Fey!” She was a gifted artisan, entrepreneur who never suffered a shortage of business, even though she moved the business many times in her lifetime. Towns included Aberdeen, SD, where she worked with J.C. Penney Co. on their drapery business; Conde, SD; Wheaton, MN; Eyota, MN; and St. Charles, MN. While in Eyota, she expanded into a craft and consignment shop. Her customers praised her abilities and loved her work. One of her outstanding jobs was the total refurbishment of the upholstery of a 27’ cabin cruiser boat that when traded in, was shipped to Hawaii. Della enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hosting family reunions in South Dakota. She was an avid gardener, raised potatoes, which the community bought by the burlap bushel bagfuls, and raised poultry, which was also sold to the community; ducks, geese, and laying hens. We never lacked for a full freezer. There were always flowers around and rock gardens to plant them in. When she moved into Janelle’s house in Minnesota City. Her comment was always, “Wish I could do more to help.” Janelle always told her, “You helped make it the house it is.”

Della is survived by five children: Curtis (Carmel) Fey of South Bend, IN; Carolyn (Frank) Fey of Kasson, MN; Janelle Dykhuis of Minnesota City, MN; Carmen (Dan) Fuchs of Ames, IA; and Michael (Traci) Fey of Clark, SD; eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, eight greatgrandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, siblings, Philip (Janet) Roland of Vergas, MN; Ruth Sheets of Winona, MN and, of course, numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Francis; brother, Morgan; daughter, Betty (Jerry) Kerns; two sisters, Ella and Pearl; two grandchildren, Danielle (Janelle’s) and Heather (Curt’s).