Delores Marie Erlinger

Delores Marie Erlinger was a compassionate, hardworking, and deeply kind-hearted woman who touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She was known for her honesty, loyalty, and thoughtful nature, always putting others before herself and offering love without hesitation.

Though Delores’s formal education ended after the third grade, her learning never stopped. She was a lifelong learner who taught herself everything she needed to know—from managing a household to stretching every dollar. While she may not have excelled in a traditional classroom, she more than made up for it with wisdom, resilience, and common sense. She was one of the hardest-working women you could meet, facing life’s challenges head-on with strength and determination. Her perseverance became a guiding example for her children and grandchildren, shaping the values they carry today.

Delores was blessed with a large and loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl James Erlinger Sr., and Carl Erlinger Jr. was survived by her six children: Robert Lee Erlinger, David Wayne Erlinger, Patricia Ann Erlinger Warfe, Mary Ann Al-Ruwais, Janet Marie Stansbury, Delores Lynn Wixon. Her legacy continues through her 18 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

She found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Delores loved ceramics, crocheting, playing bingo, and visiting the casino. She also gave back to her community, volunteering during rodeo season and always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Delores proved that you don’t need diplomas to be brilliant and you don’t need riches to be rich in love. She built a life rooted in determination, kindness, and sheer will. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing her is better for it.