Della Cates

Della Cates, a Rio Oso resident since 1953, died October 4, 2010. She was 96 years young and was born March 6, 1914 in Red Oak, OK. Before moving to California, Della survived the Great Depression, lived through two World Wars, saw the end of Prohibition and had stories to tell about what the blinding Storms of the Dust Bowl looked like. Through it all, she loved life and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandma to family and friends who became her family. Besides her loving family, her passions were flower gardens, her vegetable gardens, her chickens and traveling each year to a family reunion in Broken Bows, OK. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Henry Cates. They married on February 23, 1943. Della is survived by her children, Bill Cates & wife Sandy of Arboga, CA; Sue Duncan & husband Dub of Gentry, AR; LeVon Scheiber & husband Willy of Rio Oso, CA; Barbara Nahas of Rio Oso, CA and Dan Cates & wife Pam of St. Roberts, MO, who gave her 14 grandchildren, 2 of whom preceded her in death, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great- great grandchildren who brought her endless joy. Also, she is survived by 2 brothers, Alvin Tomlinson of Broken Bow, OK, Donzel Tomlinson of El Dorado, AR and 1 sister, Donnie Whisenhunt of Broken Bow, OK. There is a viewing on Tuesday, October 12 from 2:00 to 8:00 at Lipp and Sullivan Funeral Home in Marysville. A graveside service will be held on October 13 at 1:00 pm at Fairview Cemetery in Rio Oso. Send Condolences to www.appealdemocrat.com