Deloris, also known as "Dee", was born on August 5, 1925 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota with her parents and two younger siblings. She worked at a local hardware store while attending Hopkins High School. After graduating, Dee moved to California with her aunt in search of a better job. After arriving in California, she got a job making aircraft parts at the North American Aircraft factory. Women who worked in these types of factories during World War II were known as "Rosie the Riveters." During the war, Dee kept in touch with a man she attended high school with, who goes by the name of Zip. He was in the Navy. They wed in 1945, when Dee was 20 years old. After the war was over, Zip decided stayed in the Navy. For 20 years, Dee and her family moved to many different places across the country. During this time, Dee and her husband had 3 daughters. After Dee’s husband retired, her family moved back to Hopkins, and she gave birth to a son.
Dee has been married for 61 years, has 3 daughters, 1 son, 7 granddaughters, and 3 great granddaughters. When asked what she would change, if anything, about her life, Dee replied by saying nothing. Dee said that she was happy and satisfied with everything that has happened.
| Videos | Transcripts |
|---|---|
| Growing Up(WMV) | Growing Up |
| High School(WMV) | High School |
| Rosie the Riveter(WMV) | Rosie the Riveter |
| Marriage(WMV) | Marriage |
| WWII(WMV) | WWII |
Note: Videos play best in Windows Media Player version 9 or newer.
Group Members Fawn VanEps, Sarah Mesna, Megan Wilkinson, Angela Rix
