Della Welsh

DELLA WELSH

Victor

Della Welsh, 97, of Grinnell, formerly of Victor, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor with Father 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 p.m. Monday at Smith Funeral Home in Victor and the family will be present to greet friends from 5 until 7 p.m. A Scripture service, with a rosary service to follow, will be at 4 p.m. 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 Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 485, Victor, IA 52347.

Memories and condolences may be shared online with the family at www.smithfh.com.

Della was born on Thanksgiving Day just after World War I ended, on Nov. 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 Aug. 29, 1957, Fred died of brain cancer. In 1958, Della married 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 married 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 also was a matron for the severe and profoundly handicapped at the school in Conroy. After that marriage ended, Della married 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, Richard (Barb Wille) DeNeve of Victor, Sandra (Dick) Burritt of Upland, Neb., Edward (Bev) DeNeve of Victor, Mary (Terry) Starry of Solon, 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.