Della Rae Hartley

Della Rae (McChesney) Hartley was born on September 19, 1934, in Englewood, Colorado, to Walter and Ruby McChesney. She was the youngest of five children and shared a special bond with her sister, Mabel, and brothers, Walt, Jack, and Ted.

On July 20, 1953, Della Rae married the love of her life, Grayson Dean Hartley. Together they built a beautiful life centered on love, family, friendship, and adventure. Their marriage spanned nearly 73 years and served as a wonderful example of devotion, partnership, and enduring love.

Della Rae and Grayson were blessed with four children: Ron; Robbin and husband Nelson; Tanya; and Terry and wife Dee. Their family grew to include eight grandchildren: Ryann, Crystal, Jayme, Justin and wife Taryn, Jessika, Talynn and husband Justin, Christine, and Danielle and husband Dylan. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Ashlyn, Addisyn, Kodah, Leighlani, Gracelynn, Jaxin, and Anya.

Family was at the center of Della Rae's life. She found great joy in gathering loved ones together and celebrating life's milestones, large and small.

Della Rae and Grayson enjoyed many adventures throughout their years together. They loved jeeping, camping, square dancing, and spending time with lifelong friends. Family celebrations were among Della Rae's greatest treasures, and she delighted in birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, and every opportunity to bring people together.

She loved playing card games, especially Jokers Wild, Aggravation, Three to a King, and countless games of Cribbage with Grayson. Laughter around the card table was one of life's simple pleasures that she cherished.

Together, Della Rae and Grayson fulfilled many of their dreams, including a memorable three-month adventure to Alaska and numerous trips to Moab with dear friends. They also treasured family vacations with their children, Della Rae's family, and Grayson's mother, creating memories that will be held close forever.

Della Rae will be remembered for her loving heart, warm smile, unwavering support, and deep devotion to those she loved. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her kindness and generosity touched many lives, and her legacy will continue through the family she cherished so deeply.

Though our hearts are broken by her passing, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace and reunited with loved ones in Heaven.

Della is survived by her beloved husband of Grayson Dean Hartley, Loving Mother of Ron Hartley, Robbin and Nelson Scherer, Tanya Hartley, and Terry and Dee Hartley, Cherished Grandmother of Ryann Loomis, Crystal Hartley, Jayme Vargo, Justin and Taryn Hartley, Jessika Halitsky, Talynn and Justin Carson, Christine Hartley, and Danielle and Dylan Niyork and Proud Great-Grandmother of Ashlyn Hartley, Addisyn Hartley, Kodah Halitsky, Leighlani Halitsky, and Gracelynn Carson, Jaxin Carson, and Anya Niyork.