Della Lila Aldrich

Della L. (Allen) Aldrich Marshall Della L. (Allen) Aldrich, age 105, died peacefully on October 30, 2009 at her residence, Maplewood of Marshall. Della was born on August 20, 1904 to Howard and Ethyl (Aurand) Allen. She lived in Tekonsha for the first 100 years of her life, then moved to assisted living. Della graduated from high school in 1922 and passed the state exam for teachers immediately following, thus being certified to teach before attending college. She taught two years in country schools (Aurand and Fredonia), as well as substituting in Marshall Public Schools, with some students almost as old as she. During the following summer, she attended County Normal (now Western Michigan University); the resultant certificate allowed her to teach three more years without additional schooling. Her first date with her soon-to-be husband, Russell Aldrich, was an airplane ride in 1926, after which she swore off air travel. Della and Russell were wed on June 27, 1927, and had a daughter Margaret on October 19, 1930. Della and Russell retired from farming in 1972; Della continued cooking and waitressing at the Tekon Truck Stop until 1975. Until she moved to Marshall, she continued to cook and bake; having family and friends for dinner at least once a week, as well as baking "Grama cookies" and pies for anyone who wanted some (and there were few who didn't!), with special attention to the various functions of her church. While at Maplewood, she was honored by being selected as Calhoun County Senior Fair Queen at the age of 102. She is survived by three grandchildren: Inez (Robert) Callender, Battle Creek; Aileen (Jim) Matheson, Grand Rapids; Chris (Carlonna) Fousel, Tekonsha; nieces Mary (Aldrich) Main, Tekonsha; Marlene (Allen) Varner, Marshall; Joyce (Allen) Furu, Marshall; and numerous great-nieces and -nephews; a family that remembers her as generous, kind and caring. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Russell; her daughter, Margaret; brothers Ilo and Lloyd. The memorial service to celebrate Della's life will be held Saturday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m. at the Union Church of Tekonsha, 206 West Randall Street. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Della's honor may be made to the Sound System Fund of the Tekonsha Union Church.