Della Williams Connell

LOVELAND, Colo. - Della Williams Connell, 106, went to be with her Lord Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012 at North Shore Health and Rehab in Loveland Colo., where she was loved by all.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Jolliffe Funeral Home in Scottsbluff with Pastor Lauren Eckdahl officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff.
Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, her Memorial is to Della Connell Nursing Scholarship Fund, Attn: Shelly, c/o Regional West Medical Center, Two West 42nd Street, Scottsbluff, NE, 69361. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jolliffefuneralhome.com. Jolliffe Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is assisting the family with arrangements.
Della was born Nov. 18, 1905 in Prattville, Mich. to D. Elmer and Olive (Hammond) Chamberlin. She moved with her parents to Atkinson, Neb., by horse and wagon, graduating from Atkinson High School in 1924. Immediately upon graduation she moved to Scottsbluff where Della worked in the West Nebraska Methodist Hospital until she entered the School of Nursing in the fall. She was the first graduate of the School of Nursing in 1927.
She married Jared B. Williams Dec. 25, 1927. They lived on the Williams family homestead north of Scottsbluff, then moved to farm in upper Mitchell Valley until 1966. They retired in Scottsbluff, where her beloved husband, Jared, died May 6, 1969.
Della married Allen B. Connell March 2, 1982. He died August 27, 1987. In January 2009 she moved to Loveland Colo. to be near family.
She was very creative in many mediums. Della carved beautiful leather purses, a guest book (of which she was very proud) and panniers for her son's motorcycle. She created beautiful copper enameling items. Della had a great sense of humor, keeping her friends, family and caregivers laughing as long as she lived. Having her Bible read to her was her greatest pleasure in recent months.
Della was an 80 plus year member of the Methodist Church. She was also president of the Alumni Association of the School of Nursing, President of the Busy Bee Club, President of the Golden Rule Sunday School Class, and volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels. Della was employed at West Nebraska General Hospital, The Scottsbluff School District as school nurse, and Administrator at West Nebraska Nursing Home in Mitchell.
Her children include her daughter, Eloise Priest, Ft. Collins, Colo.; son, Jared B Williams, Jr., Colby, Kan.; and Harvey E. Williams, (deceased). She has six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter, as well as several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.
Preceding Della in death were her parents, two husbands, a son and great-great grandchild.