Delrose “Deli” Stein is the oldest living member of the Big Lake Legion Auxiliary. She has been a member of the auxiliary since the 1970s. She’s still an active member, and recently could be seen distributing poppies at Kwik Trip in Big Lake. 

Stein (maiden name Boser) was born in Pierz, Minnesota, but has been living in the Big Lake community for many years. She was born in 1929 and grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. She said she and her five siblings had to work hard on the farm to help the family get by. The family had around a dozen cows the kids would milk by hand every day. 

When Stein and her husband moved to Big Lake, Stein made friends with a local woman, Wanda Nelson. Nelson taught Stein how to golf, and eventually convinced her to join the auxiliary. Stein was happy to be part of the organization. Her husband served in the army, and two of her children served in the navy. But mostly, Stein said, she loved being around the people in the organization. It gave her the opportunity to meet new people in her new home. 

On Memorial Day, Stein says, “It’s just a really special day.” 

She was happy to be part of the poppy distribution for the auxiliary once again this year. She bragged that she collected donations of over $100 this year. The Big Lake Auxiliary as a whole has collected over $6,600 on this project so far this year. This makes two years in a row where donations have been over $6,000. There were a total of 30 auxiliary member volunteers distributing poppies and nine locations in Big Lake. 

Stein, at 95 years old, is still actively spreading joy around her community. She and a group of friends still meet up twice per month to make quilts for veterans, which are donated to a veteran’s organization in St. Cloud (Stein says they group drives down to drop the quilts off personally). 

Besides quilting, some of Stein’s other hobbies include golfing, bowling, cooking up new recipes, painting by numbers, and reading. Her current book is “Home Song” by Minnesota author LaVyrle Spencer, and Stein reports it is excellent. Besides her hobbies, Stein is also active in keeping up with her six children, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Stein says she loves to watch as her great grandkids grow up. 

Deli Stein is definitely keeping the spirit of Memorial Day alive in her community, even at 95 years old. She is connecting to her community and honoring the veterans who have served. She is a shining light in the Big Lake community.