Mardella "Dell" Birgen was born February 16, 1926 in Epiphany, SD to parents Adam and Catherine Scherer. Dell died March 19, 2012 at St. Benedict Health Care Center in Parkston, SD at the age of 86 years, 1 month and 3 days. Dell graduated from Burbank High School. She moved to Sioux Falls and worked at various jobs. Dell married J. Edward Birgen on April 23, 1949. The couple made their home on a farm in rural Alcester. Ed passed away in 1985 and Dell continued to live in the area until her death. Dell was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Beresford where she belonged to the Altar Society. She enjoyed gardening and canning, and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 10 siblings, Genevieve Gannon, Marie Steimetz, Paulina Wright, Loretta Scherer, Alfred Scherer, Cyril "Jack" Scherer, Celestine "Dick" Scherer, Adrian "Skip" Scherer, Adelaide "Addie" Bezdicek, and Lorraine Scherer. Her survivors include two children, Pat Birgen (Renee Goltz), Alcester and Pam Hein, Lake Andes, SD; two grandchildren, Jessica (Scott) Berke and Mary Katherine Colins all of Sioux Falls; 5 great grandchildren, Maren, Arwyn, Aslan, Teagen, and Alora; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A memorial mass will be held 10:00AM, Saturday, March 24 at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Beresford with burial at St. John Catholic Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Friday from 6PM to 8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford. www.wassfuneralhome.com