Della M. Archuleta

Della Archuleta, age 96 of Thornton, CO passed away peacefully on February 11, 2022. She is survived by two daughters, Connie Archuleta of Denver, CO, and Elaine Martinez of Brighton, CO., son Everett (Chantelle) Archuleta of Denver, CO, eleven Grandchildren, twenty-two Great Grandchildren and three Great-great Grandchildren, two brothers Ben (Antoinette) Valdez of Pueblo, CO and Ignacio Valdez of Ogden, Utah and one half-sister Bertha of Ignacio, CO. and many nephews and nieces.

She is proceeded in death by her loving husband Don Archuleta, loving daughter Evelyn Archuleta, loving son Donald Archuleta, brothers Leonard, Rudy, Eugenio and Pete Valdez, three sisters Elisa Jaramillo, Viola & Rufunita Valdez.

Della was born at home to the late Eugenio & Maria Inez (Baca) Valdez in the small town of San Luis, Colorado on December 14, 1925. She was the fourth child out of 11 children. At the age of 17 years old, her mother passed away around the age of 37 years old leaving Della and her sister Elisa to raise three of the youngest siblings. She was a survivor of the Great Depression Era of the 1930's.

She married Don Archuleta on November 17, 1949 and they were blessed with five children during their 37- years of marriage. Della became a widow in 1986. She later moved to Francis Heights Senior Living Community in the Sloan Lake Park area in Northwest Denver. She enjoyed her daily walks around the two mile lake, a couple of times a week.

Her past time was driving seniors to doctor appointments and the grocery store until the age of ninety years old.

Della was a faithful member of Land Mark Tabernacle for many years. She was a devout Pentecostal attending services two to three times a week. She also enjoyed attending special ladies event and serving in her church.

In 2016 at the age of ninety she moved to Henderson, CO to live with her two daughters. In 2018 at the age of ninety-three Della was placed in Genesis-Elms Haven nursing home as her dementia was declining.

Mrs. Archuleta was a caregiver for a short period for her father-in-law in the 50's and later caregiving for her father Eugenio around 1990. She also helped a couple of her children with raising their children for a short period. Most of all she was always a faithful servant of God.

Della's hobbies were crocheting, reading the bible, baking bread and spending time with her large family. She loved sitting around and having lots of laughs with her many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren as they gave her a hard time and she certainly gave it back.

You will be missed by all, Rest In Peace!

Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, 2022, from 5-7pm at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant St., Thornton. Funeral Service will be Friday, March 11, 2022, 12:00pm at Landmark Tabernacle Church, 2727 S. Sheridan Boulevard, Denver followed by Interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Boulevard, Denver. Reception to follow services at The Church in South Denver, 2288 S. Tennyson Street, Denver.

The family would like to thank Genesis Elms Haven nursing home and their staff for all the care and services they provided for our loved one. We would also like to thank the team at Dignity Hospice for the wonderful care our mother received from all.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Archuleta family.