Della Elaine Dawson
Oct. 26, 1948 — Oct. 3, 2010
MONTROSE — Della Elaine Dawson, age 61, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 3, 2010. Della was born Oct. 26, 1948 in Glenwood Springs, Colo. to Earl and Donna Dawson. She grew up on Main Elk Creek outside of New Castle. Della graduated from Riverside High School and Western State College. She was married Sept. 6, 1969 to the “Love of her Life,” Bill Porter. To this union were born Alan Earl Porter (Joy), Paula Lynn Kuhn (Rodger) and Cheryl Suzanne Snyder (Trent).
Della loved animals (especially her dogs and cats), the outdoors, hunting and fishing and was the happiest out cutting hay in her Owatonna swather or out checking her momma cows and calves. She loved every fall riding Jet, gathering cows up Divide Creek. She also loved working at the fairgrounds and running the “Bullshippers” Café and Del’s Deals, greeting everyone who walked in the door with a big smile and hello.
Della’s children and grandchildren were the center of her world. From coaching, to attending sporting events, or being a 4-H leader to planning a wedding or moving across the country, there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her family.
Della loved to build and was brilliant and talented in all areas. She could remodel a house; fix a tractor and knew so much about everything. If you needed to know something or needed help with a project you knew to ask Della.
Della was the most giving, kind-hearted, hard-working woman you could meet. She spent her life giving and sacrificing for others. She had the heart of an angel. Della, you have shown us all how to be closer to God. You were God’s gift to us for a short and blessed time and now we can rest easy knowing you have been welcomed back into His arms. We smile, knowing you are now “dancing” without pain and suffering with the “Love of your Life” in heaven.
Della is survived by her parents, Earl and Donna Dawson of Rifle; her children; and 12 grandchildren: Danika, Michael, Sabrina, Jacob, Billet, Hartleigh, Aceleigh, Blake, Bo, Brent, Brooke and Shaye; her brother, Del Dawson (Kandi); and sisters, Gail Coombs (Dale) and Jonilyn Hall (Lanny). Della always said that Kathy Hangs was her “other Kid.” She also had many kids who thought of her as a mother and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and loved ones. You touched more people than we ever knew.
Della was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Porter.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, one mile up Main Elk Creek outside of New Castle; please follow the signs. There will be a reception to follow at New Creation Church located between New Castle and Glenwood Springs at the Canyon Creek I-70 exit. In the case of inclement weather, services will be held at noon at New Creation Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
