Glenn R. Dehlin

Longtime pharmacist Glenn R. Dehlin passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, at his home in Mobile, Alabama. He was 98 years old.

Glenn was born on May 29, 1927, in rural Graceville, Minnesota, the second of eight sons born to Alvin and Ellen Dehlin.

He was baptized and confirmed at Siloah Lutheran Church near Graceville. Glenn grew up on the family homestead originally settled by his grandfather and attended a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Graceville High School in 1945.

A month prior to graduation, Glenn enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing boot training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, he was assigned to the USS LST (H) 42. Glenn held the rank of Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class and also served as a Signalman and Small Boat Captain. His service took him throughout the Pacific, including Hawaii, Guam, Okinawa, Shanghai, and China. He was honorably discharged in August 1946.

Following his military service, Glenn attended St. Cloud State College for one year before transferring to North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1950. While at NDSU, he was active in the Gold Star Chorus, YMCA Quartet, Kappa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity, and the Lutheran Students Association.

In January 1948, Glenn met the love of his life, Joyce Cunningham, who was also a student at NDSU. They were married on May 28, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota, and celebrated 75 anniversaries together.

Glenn and Joyce had four children: Mary Kaye, David Glenn, Paul Glenn (who died in infancy), and Joan Ellen.

Glenn began his pharmacy career at Northwest Pharmacy and B&B Drug in Minot, North Dakota. In 1958, he founded and managed Medical Arts Pharmacy in Minot, where he worked for 32 years. After four decades in pharmacy, he retired in 1990.

Throughout his career, Glenn was active in professional pharmacy organizations and had a special interest in diabetes education and blood glucose monitoring. He served for ten years on the North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy, including two years as president, and was a longtime member and past president of the North Dakota Pharmaceutical Association.

Community service was a cornerstone of Glenn’s life. He served on the Board of Directors of First American Bank West in Minot and the Souris Valley Special Education Board for more than 18 years. He was also a past president of the Minot Kiwanis Club, Zion Lutheran Church, Toastmasters, and the Minot Country Club.

His professional excellence earned him numerous honors, including the A.H. Robins “Bowl of Hygeia” Award for outstanding community service and the Kappa Psi “Pharmacist of the Year” Award in 1982.

Glenn’s hobbies were many and varied. He enjoyed bird hunting, trap and skeet shooting—earning several team championships in Minot—as well as fishing trips to Canada and Alaska. He was also an avid golfer and maintained a lifelong passion for photography. Once a farmer, always a farmer—he loved spending time outdoors caring for his gardens and lawn.

After retirement, Glenn developed a strong interest in genealogy. Following a 1992 trip to Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, he connected with relatives abroad and compiled thousands of family records. Drawing from this research, he authored three family histories: The Bresman Letters, The Hanson Heritage, and The Dehlin Story.

In 1996, Glenn and Joyce moved to Sun City Georgetown, Texas, where they embraced an active retirement. Glenn participated in Hill Country Writers, Faith Lutheran Church, Compass Bible Study, Stephen Ministry, Georgetown Symphony, Vasa Lodge, Nature Club, and the Computer Club. In 2012, they relocated to Mobile, Alabama, to be nearer to family.

Glenn is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; his children, Mary Kaye Dehlin Wilke (Hank) of Jacksonville, Florida; David Glenn Dehlin (Karen) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Joan Ellen Dehlin Rickert (Danny) of Mobile, Alabama; six grandchildren: Jonathan Wilke (Sarah), Logan Dehlin (Kelly), Katie Dehlin (Brian), Taylor Dehlin (Samantha), Brittany Rickert Callaway (Miller), and Patrick Rickert (Claudia); and four great-grandchildren: Hunter Callaway, Gaines Callaway, Olivia Rickert, and Parker Dehlin.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date, followed by interment at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

Memorials may be made to:

• Children’s Diabetes Camp at Camp Grace, c/o Coastal Camp Searle Harris, SDES, 500 Chase Park South, Suite 104, Birmingham, AL 35244, or online at campsearleharris.org
• Christ United Church, 6101 Grelot Road, Mobile, AL 36609