DELLA WALTER, 71, of Ovid, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home in Julesburg.
Della was born March 25, 1951, at Gila Bend, AZ, to Sam C. and Marina "Mary" (Lopez) Franco. She graduated from high school at Gila Bend before joining the U.S. Army.
Della was a parachutist in the Army and a dental hygienist. It was during her time in the service when she met Robert James Walter. The two were married on January 28, 1972, and their union was blessed with three children, Peter, Elizabeth, and John. The family made their home in Sidney, NE, and Haxtun, CO, before Robert took over the family farm north of Ovid in 1974.
Della was a fantastic cook, having learned much from her mother-in-law. Her chocolate chip cookies were especially prized. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty and often helped on the farm whenever needed. Della had both courage and grit.
Della enjoyed hunting and entertaining company. She was an avid Denver Bronco fan through thick and thin.
Della was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2003; her brother, Sam Franco Jr; and a sister, Linda Walker.
Survivors include her children, Peter (Jane) Walter of Ovid, Elizabeth (Nicholas) Scheck of Garner, NC, and John (Austyn) Walter of Leawood, KS; 9 grandchildren, Trey, Ethan, Whitney; Brandon, Annika; Hudson, Jack, Josie, and Eli; and one great-grandchild on the way; siblings, Mary (Franco) Gonzalez, Larry Franco, Freddie Franco, Sally Thorn; along with many nieces and nephews.
Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the service will be streamed live.
Liturgy of The Word service will be on December 30, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Julesburg, with Fr. Herman officiating. Interment of Cremains will be in the Ovid Cemetery.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.