Della Mondragon

To everything there is a purpose, a time and a season. Della Mary Mondragon, 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and dear friend, passed away peacefully at home in Windsor on Saturday, March 4, 2006. A native Coloradan of the San Luis Valley she was born in Alamosa on May 7, 1916, to Jose Francisco and Lugarda Mary Vigil, and six years later moved to Fort Collins. She married the love of her life, Arthur Lloyd Mondragon on Dec. 2, 1935, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Della was a homemaker most of her life. In her young married life along with her parents, husband and children quilting was a family project. She loved quilting, embroidery and painting. She avidly read the newspaper and TIME magazine cover to cover. She loved socializing and especially loved dancing with her husband. Her family time was most important to her. She loved to cook. She loved hosting family gatherings, playing cards and included everyone. In the '60s went to work and later retired from Colorado State University. She was active in the Extension Club, the Alonzo Martinez American Legion Post No. 187 Women's Auxiliary, the Moose Lodge No. 275, Northside Community Center's Los Ancianos Unidos and a cherished member of the Fort Collins "Little Lamb" Theresians. She was an avid Bronco fan and she loved her Rockies. She is survived by her son, Arthur Victor and wife, Sherry, of Colorado Springs; daughters, Rose Perry, of Cheyenne, Maxine Lopez and husband, Rico, of Greeley, Anita Mondragon-Paoli and husband, Fred, of Windsor and Montana, and Rebecca O'Donnell and husband, Terrence, of Loveland; twelve grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren. Brothers, Gus Vigil, of Thornton, Val Vigil, of Phoenix, and Paul Vigil, of Denver; and sisters, Frances Godinez and Rose Godinez, of Fort Collins. Della was preceded in death by her husband of 62 1/2 years, Arthur; her daughter, MaryLou Truesdell and granddaughters, Marci, Judi and Susan Truesdell; daughters, Josephine Carney-Cordova and Patricia Mondragon; son, Roger; grandson, George Perry; and daughter-in-law, Catherine Mondragon. Della was a natural born mother. In addition to her nine children, she was a mother to many outside of her own family. She participated in raising five foster children, had numerous God-children and helped guide many children and adults from her community. Della will be remembered and loved for sharing her unconditional love and acceptance with all she met. She will be remembered for her incredible grace, courage and dignity. Her life example will be cherished. She was the heart of her family and she will be dearly missed. A combined Rosary and Mass will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 300 W. Mountain Ave. Father Roger Lascelle will officiate. Interment immediately following church service at Grandview Cemetery. Those who desire may view her from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. The Mondragon family would like to thank family and friends for their love and support for our wonderful mother. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in her name to Hospice of Larimer County or the Alonzo Martinez American Legion Post No. 187 Endowment Fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.