DeLores Lorraine Amb

DeLores Amb, 97 (and a half), Portland ND and San Tan Valley AZ, died peacefully in her sleep at Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa, AZ after a brief illness.

DeLores was born December 7th 1928 in Portland, ND, to Alvin and Jorgine Amundson. DeLores attended Viking #3 a rural grade school near the farm west of Portland where she grew up, and graduated from Portland High School.

DeLores married Thomas Amb in 1947 in Mobridge, SD and they moved to the farm northwest of Portland where they raised 3 children, Clayton (Lorna) of Menomonie, WI; Elizabeth of San Tan Valley, AZ; and Leslie (Cynthia) of Portland, ND. Leslie and Cynthia still live and farm at that location.

DeLores enjoyed the farm life with Thomas, she milked cows, raised chickens, drove truck during harvest, raised a large vegetable and flower garden and brought lunches and noon meals to Thomas and the hired men so they wouldn’t have to stop working during the daylight hours. She had her own upholstery business, was an accomplished seamstress and made flower arrangements for many local occasions. She was very active in Aurdal Lutheran Church and later in Valley Free Lutheran Church where she was still a member. She was an active choir member, and sang in a trio with Ruda Hanson and Ahlvild Nelson and occasionally joined by Claudine Thompson.

When their son Leslie took over the farming operation, Thomas and DeLores bought a motor home. She drove it back and forth for about 10 years from Portland to Mesa AZ, where they spent their winters. She moved into a house in Portland with Thomas after their “touring” days, and was his full time care giver until he passed away in 2001. She has returned to Portland every summer since and spent much of her time “patching blue jeans” for her sons and grandsons.

She enjoyed traveling. Making 3 trips to Norway to visit relatives and friends, drove a pickup with a camper on a summerlong family trip to Alaska to visit her brother Glen and his family as well as trips in the motorhome to Florida, Illinois and other destinations.

Delores’s favorite pastimes were playing cards, working on puzzles, watching the MN Twins baseball with sister Irene & niece Shirley, fishing with Thomas, Clayton and Leslie, visiting with Elizabeth’s clients, and spending time telling stories and conversing with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended “family” of friends accumulated over her many years of life. As a result of her decades of experience, she was a trusted sounding board and “treasure box” for the “special secrets” of her grandchildren as they grew up, especially so for her granddaughters. She enjoyed music and played the piano, organ, accordion and guitar. Most of all, she dearly loved her family.

DeLores was preceded in death by her husband (Thomas), her parents (Alvin Sr. & Jorgine), 7 brothers (Norman, Alexander, Elroy, Curvin, Roger, Alvin Jr. and Glen) and 2 sisters (Olga and Irene), 2 brothers-in-law (Alvin and Ingolf), 5 sisters-in-law (Ruda, Claudine, Edna, Murlene and Delores), 1 granddaughter (Teresa Marie), 11 nephews and 8 nieces.

DeLores is survived by her 3 children: Clayton Amb (Lorna) of Menomonie, WI, Elizabeth Amb of San Tan Valley, AZ and Leslie Amb (Cynthia) of Portland, ND; 6 Grandchildren: Jensine Bourman (Bruce) of Menomonie, WI, Karl Amb (Jessica) of Grand Rapids, MN, Heather Hutchins (Craig) of Portland, ND, John Amb (Jessica) of Portland, ND, Jacob Amb (Amanda) of Portland, ND and Kathryn Good (Tyler) of Portland, ND; 20 Great Grandchildren: Eleanor and Elizabeth (Jensine), Maggie, Daniel, Logan, Kallie and Josiah (Karl), Sarah, Laura and Emily (Heather), Blake, Landen and Carsen (John), Maddie, Becca, Avery, Elsa and Xavier (Jacob) Kynlea and Reid (Kathryn); along with 23 Nieces and 19 Nephews.

Casual farm dress or her patched blue jeans for the visitation and funeral is appreciated.

Visitation: Will be 5–7:00 PM on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Valley Free Lutheran Church in Portland, ND.

Burial: Will be in the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, ND.