Philip Herbert Delzer

Philip (Phil) Herbert Delzer, 78, passed away surrounded by family on June 4, 2025 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis, MN.

Phil was born September 30, 1946 to Herbert and Lucille Delzer in St. Paul, MN.

After graduating from Spring Lake Park High School in Blaine, MN. in 1964, Phil enter the U.S. Army and served in Germany where he worked at the military hospital. After being honorably discharged in 1968, Phil continued to live in Germany working as a civilian on base, where he could be found slinging drinks at the Officers Club.

Upon returning to the U.S., Phil married Connie Matasosky in 1973. Phil and Connie resided in Minneapolis, MN where they raised two daughters Stacy and Cara.

Phil held various positions in transportation throughout his career including driving for Greyhound for 20 years, Dayton’s and Hennepin County. Prior to his retirement in 2006, Phil worked as a dispatcher for Hennepin County Public Works.

Phil loved traveling whether it was exploring Europe with Connie, driving to the desert southwest to visit Cara, family vacations with the Godeens to Woman Lake in northern Minnesota, or a 3-hour drive to get ice cream with his granddaughters Lydia and Kate from a small-town shop he had heard about.

Phil was a history buff especially when it came to World War II and Minnesota history. Travel planning included learning the history of the destination and every stop along the way. Phil spent hours at the Sibley County Historical Society researching family genealogy and their history in the area. Some family members considered him to be the official family historian.

His greatest joy in life was being a dad, and later a grandpa. Whether it was driving around Minneapolis to get Lydia and Kate to and from figure skating and choir practice, going to library to research basketball in order to coach Cara’s basketball team, or calling out of a Greyhound run to watch one of Stacy’s soccer games, Phil would do anything for his girls or anyone that needed a hand.

Phil is survived by his wife of 52 years Connie; children, Stacy (Christopher) Delzer-Martin, and Cara Delzer; grandchildren, Lydia and Kathryn Martin; many family members and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Lucille, brother Jeffrey Delzer, and best friend Ronald Godeen.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 24 at Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church, 5300 10th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at 10 a.m., with a luncheon to follow the service. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will take place on a future date.

Special thanks to the staff at the Minnesota Veterans Home – Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Minnesota Veterans Home – Minneapolis or Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church.

memorial service

Memorial Service

July 24, 2025

Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church (ELCA) 5300 10th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA

Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service at 10:00 am, with a luncheon to follow the service. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will take place on a future date.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services