Carelton Delbridge

Carelton "C.J." Delbridge (1898-1993) was married to Alene Delbridge on November 17, 1943. They had eight daughters: June, Jean, Jan, Joyce, Jolene, Jenelle, Judith, and Jane. C.J. Delbridge died in 1993 at the age of 95. Alene died in 2002 at the age of 81. Currently all eight daughters are living throughout the country.

In 1981 the CJ Delbridge family purchased the Henry Brockhouse mounted animal collection as a whole and donated it to the City of Sioux Falls on the condition that a proper building be constructed in which to house the collection. It was decided that the Delbridge Museum of Natural History would become part of the Great Plains Zoo to enhance the recreational and educational value of both facilities.