DELPHINE A. CHOATE

July 18, 1911 - November 17, 2010

The Lord called Del home November 17 at the age of 99 after a very brief stay at the Mercy Hospital in Merced. She was born in Madison KS to Anton and Johanna Recek and was the youngest of 11 children. She met her husband and lifetime mate in Sanger, CA. at the age of 15 and married Henry Choate March 11, 1928. Henry preceded her in death in 1983. They were an inseparable couple for 55 years working together side by side on the family dairy farm in Merced. They shared a love for horses, hunting and most of all dancing.

They were residents of Merced since 1945 but spent 28 years at Circle Hot Springs Alaska where Del worked at the resort hotel as head housekeeper in addition to her job as the mail carrier to the outlying areas. In the summers they moved into the primitive cabin they built that had no indoor plumbing. She was a true pioneer lady.

Her hobbies included making hundreds of Christmas ornaments for family and friends as well as yarn covered clothes hangers and numerous crocheted afghans. She loved playing bingo with her friends at the Merced Elks Lodge. When Halloween rolled around she always loved to dress up in the most unique costumes that her daughter Marlene made for her. She belonged to the Wonder Walkers, a group of ladies that took weekly walks, the Seniors Club, the Widows club and attended the Christian Church of the Valley.

She spent her summers in Steamboat Springs CO with her daughter Lois and family. She is survived by her daughters Marlene Mitchell (Mitch) Lois Pollard (Ron) and 5 grandchildren Nanette Saunders (Robert) Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Denice Correia (Ron) Auburn CA, Tracy Mitchell (Donald Haley) Merced, Kim Brown (Cal) Southlake TX, Scott Pollard Lakewood CO.Her great Grandchildren are Pfc Marissa Magnano (Travis) Ft Bragg NC, Ryan Correia, Auburn, CA, Kaeley & Kenady Brown, Southlake, TX, one great-great granddaughter Alayna Magnano, Ft Bragg, NC and many nieces and nephews. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

Memorial service will be Wed. Nov 24th at 11:30 am at the Christian Church of the Valley at the corner of E. 22nd & Cherry Ave. in Merced. Burial will take place the following week at the Garden of Memories in Salinas CA where she will join her beloved Henry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Merced Elks Lodge at 1910 M Street. Merced CA 95340 "Support the Troops" in memory of Del Choate who was a great contributor to our military troops.