Della Mattson (Delrose)

September 16, 1930 – December 2, 2015

Della Mattson (Delrose), 85, passed away Dec. 2, 2015 at Spokane Sacred Heart Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was active and living independently at the time of her death.

Della was born Sept. 16, 1930 to Ray and Anna Haffner in Coutts, Alberta, Canada. She was the second of four children, (Coreen, Greg & Bernie). Della attended school in Coutts, where she also met her first husband, Troy Danbrook, and started their family of five children (Carol, Lanny, Gloria, Janie and Rene). When they were first married, they farmed in Sweetgrass, Mont. with no electricity or running water, which were days Della fondly remembered and often told stories related to those times. Later they moved to Cut Bank where Troy farmed and operated a Case dealership. In 1962, Troy was killed in a tragic farm accident.

Della later married Leonard Mattson and they had one son (Lenny). They spent 40-plus wonderful years together before Leonard’s passing in 2007. Together they owned and operated the Parkway Motel which allowed them to meet and enjoy many interesting people. Della and Leonard later relocated to Burley, Idaho, San Diego, Calif. and Moses Lake, Wash. to be close to family.

Della loved to travel and frequently visited her children and relatives throughout the United States and Canada. Della was blessed with six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren that she loved to enjoy. With the advance in technology, Della was never far from her cell phone, which allowed her to stay connected with family and friends via calls, Facebook and text messaging. Many times her text messages were a source of humor amongst family as small letters and less-than-perfect eyesight led to interesting messages. With Della’s humor and young-at-heart attitude, she became “Gram” to family and close family friends whom she enjoyed immensely.

Della is survived by her six children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two brothers.

Della was a very gentle, kind-hearted and wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. All who came in contact with her will have many wonderful memories which the family would love for you to share at her online memorial della-mattson/forevermissed.com. The family will hold a memorial in Cut Bank, Mont. at a future date. Memorials can be made in Della’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice.

“If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.”