Sherri DeLovley is a driving force

CRAWFORDSVILLE — Food trucks have become staples at community gatherings after the Pandemic created a need for creative dining options, and DeLovley’s Donuts is a staple in this corner of Iowa.

Sherri DeLovley, alongside her husband Dave, have moved mountains to pursue their dream of owning and operating a mini donut truck.

“My husband was born and raised in Northern Minnesota,” Sherri said. “Mini donuts were everywhere.”

While the mini donuts were abundant and delicious, Sherri says she was not made to live in Minnesota.

“Northern Minnesota winters were much too cold for me and you don't get much of a spring, if any, and not much of a summer,” Sherri said. “The days the weather was warm the mosquitoes were so torturous it was miserable.”

So, she told Dave she couldn’t live in Minnesota and suggested they relocate to her home state of Iowa.

“Without hesitation, he said yes!” Sherri said.

Before the move, the couple spent a significant amount of time visiting Sherri’s parents in Fairfield.

On their visits they attended county fairs, the Strawberry Festival, the Iowa State Fair, Old Threshers Reunion, and many other local events during their visits.

“We noticed there were no such thing as mini donuts anywhere in Iowa,” Sherri said.

When they relocated to Crawfordsville in May 2016, it wasn’t long before Sherri encouraged her husband toward another different kind of move.

“One beautiful morning as we awoke, I said to my husband, ‘Sweetheart, if we are going to open a mini donut mobile trailer, I think we should DO IT and QUIT TALKING about it,’” she said.

Just as he did before, Dave said yes.

The DeLovley’s bought a trailer, mini donut machines, and product.

They renovated.

They took food classes, obtained permits and licenses and hit the road.

In just three short years, the DeLovley’s have seen their business explode.

“All year round, we have to turn away business,” Sherri said. “We have reached 21 accounts daily from businesses, weddings, grand openings, schools, birthday parties, baby showers, graduation, homecoming, company employee parties, softball, baseball and the list goes on. We are in high demand.”

Sherri attributes a portion of their success to their unique take on mini donuts.

“[Dave] enjoyed minis for over 30 years, but the only option for toppings in Minnesota were Cinnamon and Sugar,” Sherri said. “Toppings like we offer, were not heard of.”

DeLovley’s offers the tradition cinnamon and sugar donuts, but have added a plethora of delicious topping options.

Some toppings include: lactose/dairy/gluten free ice cream, bacon, gummies, cereal, chocolate, peanut butter and various candy.

“I’m always adding a new topping,” Sherri said.

While she loves the expressions on people’s faces when she serves them mini donuts and ice cream through their trailer window, there is a lot more work that goes on behind the scenes.

“If I am not out actually selling mini donuts, I am still putting in 12-14 hours a day,” Sherri said.

According to Sherri, she spends a lot of time ordering product, tracking inventory, prepping taxes, prepping food, restocking the trailer, cleaning, advertising, scheduling, and printing up to date menus, among many other things.

As the DeLovley’s live out their dream of operating their very own mini donut truck, they still make time to travel and spend time with their family.

Sherri and Dave have two children and three grandchildren located in Kansas City, Missouri.

During the offseason, they visit the kids and Sherri’s parents who still live in Fairfield.

Because Sherri is a woman of action, it is no surprise that she is already planning their next adventure.

So, what is next?

“Continue moving mountains and in the midst of writing a book,” she says.

They are still deciding on a title, but according to Sherri, the book will cover these first three exciting years of serving mini donuts.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com