October 21, 1928 – December 24, 2022
On Saturday, December 24, 2022, Della May Vallem passed away peacefully at home at the age of 94.
Della was born October 21, 1928 in Chico, California to Robert Allen and Melvina Faye McKinney. She was number 8 of 9 children born into this ranching family. She swam in the river at Bidwell Park, rode horses, played baseball and often pushed cattle to the auction with her brothers.
She was a single-divorced mother raising two young boys when she met and married George H. Vallem. They added a daughter to their little family. They lived most of their married life in Modesto, CA. She was a school secretary for the Sylvan School District for many years and made a lot of friends. She loved doing crafts, gardening, camping, four-wheeling, vacationing and her family.
Della was preceded in death by her husband George Vallem, her father, mother, all of her brothers and sisters, and her granddaughter, Christine. She is survived by her two sons, Mike (Katy) Vallem of Idaho Falls, ID and Lonnie (Susan) Vallem of Stockton, CA, daughter Susan (Dave) Emmons of Fallon, NV, and grandson David Emmons Jr. of Golconda, NV. Della also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends to cherish her memory.
A graveside burial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2022 at Lakewood Memorial Park, Tuolumne Garden, 900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, CA 95326. Wear appropriate attire for the weather.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakewoodHughson.com for the Vallem family.
