SALINA – Della Nora Deatherage, 88, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2022. On February 20, 1934 Della took her first breath as the daughter of Albina and Miles Lantz. She was the tenth of eleven children.

Della grew up to be the Rodeo Queen of Sylvan Grove, KS and graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in 1952. She then worked at the Tower Café in Russell, KS where she met Donald, her lifelong partner of 66 years. They moved around chasing oil wells and ended up in Salina with three kids in tow. Della became manager for Gibson’s Hardware on Broadway. She started injecting and spraying trees which developed into Greenburst Lawns where she never stopped working.

She loved to go to bingo and the casino when she could and also loved shopping and auctions. She had her dogs to keep her company when her husband and daughter passed. I think the memories got the best of her and in the early hours on May 24th she took her last breath and left us peacefully.

Della was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Deatherage; daughter, Cheryl Deatherage; and all her siblings.

She is survived by her sons, Don Ray and Edward Dean; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2022 at First Christian Church.

Memorials to Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina Animal Services or First Christian Church, in care of Ryan Mortuary.