Della C. Welsh, 28 Dec 1918 - 24 Dec 2015

WELSH, COLEMAN, WOODLE, DENEVE, KIMBALL, HEALEY, SWAILS, WILLE, BURRITT, STARRY, BEYER

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 1/11/2016 at 14:48:54

Della C. Welsh
BORN: November 28, 1918
DIED: December 24, 2015
LOCATION: Grinnell, Iowa

Della Welsh, age 97, of Grinnell and formerly of Victor, died on Thursday, December 24, 2015, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor with Fr. Brian Shepley presiding. Pallbearers are David DeNeve, Corey Starry, Caleb Knight, Grant Beyer, Jon Swails, Brendon Cable, Brett DeNeve, Rhett Nowotny, Tyler Lantis, Garret DeNeve, and Devin DeNeve, Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Victor.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor and the family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A scripture service with a rosary to follow will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be designated to Grinnell Regional Hospice and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 485, Victor, Iowa 52347.

Della was born on Thanksgiving Day just after World War I ended, November 28, 1918, at the home of her parents, Henry and Eva (Woodle) Coleman. She was raised on the family farm northeast of Victor and attended St. John's Catholic School and Victor High School.

On May 12, 1936, she was united in marriage to Fred DeNeve. They farmed near the Victor area and were blessed with six children: Shirley, Richard, Sandra, Edward, Mary and Linda. On August 29, 1957, Fred died of brain cancer. In 1958, Della was married to Larry Kimball, with whom she had her seventh child, Lee Kimball. The couple lived in Victor and Della worked at Marengo Hospital as a nurse's aide. After that marriage ended, Della was married to Melvin Healy in 1965, taking on the role of stepmother for his six children. In 1967 she started driving a school bus for the physically and mentally handicapped. Then in 1969 she continued driving the school bus, but was also a matron for the severe and profoundly handicapped at the school in Conroy, IA. After that marriage ended, Della was married to Bill Welsh in 1980 and the couple lived in Grinnell, where Bill operated an antique store. They enjoyed traveling, especially to Arizona, and fishing in Minnesota.

Della was devoted to helping those in need. She cared for those who were elderly and lived alone. She especially enjoyed working with Ann Cunningham and Cleo Morrison. She was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she made the best holiday candy, especially divinity. Her enjoyments included crafts and sewing, gardening, and helping others.

Della is survived by her children, Shirley Swails of Cedar Rapids, IA, Richard (Barb Wille) DeNeve of Victor, Sandra (Dick) Burritt of Upland, NE, Edward (Bev) DeNeve of Victor, Mary (Terry) Starry of Solon, IA, Linda (Gary) Beyer of Grinnell, and Lee Kimball of Victor; 20 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and 13 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; and her grandson, Russ DeNeve.

Smith Funeral Home
Journal Tribune, 30 Dec pg 6
Warrior Tribune, 30 Dec 2015
The Gazette 27 Dec 2015, 31a