Della Lanae (Rockwood) Hales

Della LaNae Hales passed away on September 21, 2020, at the age of 93 after a short period of illness. She was born December 18, 1926, to Bryant and Blanche (Hain) Rockwood. She was the seventh of eight children.

She met Dallas Hales, her future husband, at a movie theater when Della sat behind Dallas and proceeded to repeatedly throw popcorn down the back of his neck. Frustrated by the intrusion, he told her that if she didn't stop throwing popcorn at him, he would have to come back there and sit with her. The popcorn aerial assault continued, so he followed through with his threat. Dallas proposed on the banks of the Snake River, next to a big rock near the falls, and they were married on September 9, 1944 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Della was an incredibly hard worker her entire life. She and Dallas farmed in Bonneville County for several years before moving to town. She worked several Christmas seasons as a Counter Girl at Woolworths to help make ends meet. She found a more permanent career as a potato grader and worked for 33 years, eventually achieving the position of Head Grader. She would proudly tell the story of how when she first started as a grader, she was working so quickly and efficiently that the other workers told her to slow down because she was making them look bad.

In addition to raising her two children, Terry and Kathryn, Della also spent several years caring for her sister-in-law, Kay Hales, who had a developmental disability.

After her and Dallas’ retirement, they began to live as “snow birds,” spending half the year in Idaho Falls and half the year in Quartzite, Arizona. Her hobbies included making pine needle baskets and ornaments, embroidery, and playing Pokeeno. She was an excellent card player and never just let her Grandkids win - they had to earn it. She was a frequent volunteer at the Quartzite Food Bank. She was an excellent cook and was masterful with a turkey at Thanksgiving.

Della was that special kind of warm, outgoing person who could easily make friends wherever she went. She could talk to anyone, any time, anywhere, and have them smiling by the time she was done with them. She was always ready with a generous heart, a sympathetic ear, and a folksy turn of phrase. She was a remarkable, strong woman who spoke her mind, but always with kindness and a wink.

Della is survived by her husband of 76 years, Dallas Hales; her son, Terry (Michelle) Hales; her daughter, Kathryn (Arch) Steele; and former daughter-in-law, Linda Spencer Hales. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Amy (Scott) Luekenga, Wade Hales, Susan (Jon) Osgood, and Jennifer (Jason) Shelby. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Special thanks and consideration go out to Karen Ferguson Waggoner as a friend, neighbor, second daughter, and caregiver to Della and Dallas Hales.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryant and Blanche Rockwood; and her brothers and sisters: Dean Rockwood, Marie Hansen, Charles Rockwood, Max Rockwood, Murile Messenger, Eldon Rockwood, and Robert Rockwood.

Della’s ashes will be spread at a later date, and there will not be a service at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Quartzite Food Bank.   Donations can be made online at www.fqfoodbank.com or by writing a check to Friends of Quartzsite Food Bank, P.O. Box 4051, Quartzsite, AZ 85359.

Della’s warmth and humor will be truly missed. We’ll drink a nip of Bailey’s and think of you often.