Della Taylor

Della Mae Taylor, 89, Enderlin, N.D., formerly of Valley City and Jamestown, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at MaryHill Manor in Enderlin.

Della Mae Clark was born Aug. 28, 1919, in Williston, to Samuel J. and Mary (Saunders) Clark. After completing high school in Trenton near the family farm, she graduated from Dakota Business College in Fargo and worked briefly for an attorney. 

On Dec. 12, 1938, she married Stephen Taylor, and the couple moved first to Fargo, then to Jamestown in 1947, where Steve was foreman of the Northern Pacific Railway Feed, Water and Rest Yard for the next quarter-century. 

For several decades, Della was an invaluable helpmate to Steve in his railroad, farming and cattle-ranching operations. The couple also kept a herd of Shetland ponies for many years.

In addition to raising four children, Della enjoyed a number of avocations, including crocheting, leather tooling, square dancing and horseback riding, to name a few. She touched many lives with her charitable work, including delivery of Meals on Wheels, and church circle work while an active member for many years of the First United Methodist Church in Jamestown, as well as the Eastern Star.

Della Mae is survived by two sons, Donald (Elaine) Taylor, Valley City, and Thomas (Lahna) Taylor, Boise, Idaho; two daughters, Jeanette (Rodney) Schluter, Valley City, and Anita (Richard) Nelson, Marathon, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Dede, Marcia, David, Holly, Chelsey, Jason, Julie and Steven; and 11 great-grandchildren, Amber, Jon, Kirsten, Morgan, Nathan, Taylor, Katelyn, Nick, Isabella, Shelby, and Ethan.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Steve; four brothers, Edwin, Bryon, Charles and Sam; two sisters, Ruth and Marion; one grandchild, Curtis; and one great-grandchild, Thomas.

The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church, Jamestown, with The Rev. Michelle Brennan officiating. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at the Eddy Funeral Home in Jamestown. Burial will be at a later date in Riverview Cemetery, Williston. Friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book at www.eddyfuneralhome.com