s a cornerstone of the Davenport and Muscatine Church of Christ supporting missionaries, sojourners, preachers, hungry college kids and the elderly. Della was a master gardener and took a course on bee keeping. She used these skills and experience to serve on the Muscatine conservation board for 10 years. Combing two of her passions gardening and her faith, she created a ministry. Sharing her faith as she shared her garden and knowledge with all who would visit. No one left her garden tours empty handed. If you didn't leave with a truck load of plants, you left knowing a little more that when you arrived. More about plants, animals and God. Della enjoyed traveling and made it to most of the United States she visited New Zealand, Australia, Fuji, Spain, Venezuela, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and South Korea. The last ten years Della lived with her only surviving sibling, Cathryn, under the care of Cathryn and her daughter Patty. Patty and her family were instrumental in the love, joy and support that surrounded these sisters. The sisters attended church, family functions, and even doctor appointments with their family doctor, Dr. Slaton together. After hearing of Della's passing Dr. Slaton said their story was the most beautiful love story he'd ever heard in all his 50+ years of practice. Although Dementia/Alzheimer's had stolen her memory, during church Della still knew all the words to hymns and could correctly answer bible study questions. Memory loss could not touch her deep rooted faith. We celebrate her life, rather than only grieve her loss. Rejoicing in her life on this earth. A life that blessed many. Della is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Sr.; son, Robert Jr.; grandson, David; granddaughter, Micaela; brother, Francis "Jack" Bradshaw Jr.; and sisters, Mary, Ann, and Betty in infancy. She is survived by her sister, Cathryn; Robert Jr.'s children, Maria, Beth and Claudette; daughter, Cathy (Ted) Colschen and their children, Catrese and Michelle; sons, Paul (Deb) and his children, Sarah, Rachel, Amanda and Brad; Peter (Connie) and his children, Alison and Adrian; Brian (Alma) and their children, Danielle, Lindsay, Garrett and Rebekah. Also left to honor her memory are many great grandchildren and a great, great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Della's name to the Muscatine, Iowa, or Alchua, Florida, Church of Christ, the Muscatine Conservation Board, or you could plant or share a flower with someone in Della's memory.
Ralph J Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home
Muscatine, IA 52761
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