Obituary for Rosella A. "Della" Gordon (Beauchamp)
Missouri- Rosella “Della” A. Gordon, 98, of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at Saint Peters Manor Care Center, Saint Peters, Missouri.
Della was born on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1922, in Escanaba, Mich., to Agnes and Charles Beauchamp. Della grew up in Kingsford, Mich., graduating from Kingsford High School, class of 1940. She was crowned the first Miss Iron Mountain/Kingsford at a July 4th celebration at Lake Antoine in Iron Mountain. After high school, she moved to Racine, Wis, where she lived and worked for Qualheims and Modine Manufacturing at jobs she loved. In 1960, she met Jerry Gordon. They married at St. Anthony Catholic Church on September 9, 1961, and built their life and family in Niagara, Wis.
The hallmarks of Della’s life were faith, family, and community. Early in her adult life, she was active in the Wisconsin Catholic Junior League and eventually served as president. Likewise, after marrying and moving to Niagara, Della could be found leading various organizations. She was the founder of the Maryhill Manor Nursing Home Women’s Guild, which helped to raise funds for the nursing home in their early years while operated by the order of nuns, Sister Servants of Christ the King. Della served for 17 years as their president. She also helped lead St. Anthony’s Christian Mother’s and Guild for many years. She enjoyed working and serving on the Green Bay Diocese Council of Catholic Women and eventually served on their board and as their president.
Della was dedicated to service in her community, and it was easy to see the energy it gave her as well as earning her the nickname Della the Dealer. She would go from business to business selling hundreds of raffle tickets.
In addition to community involvement, Della enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling. She loved the arts and was an excellent ballroom dancer. She danced her way through life. If music was playing, she was dancing.
Della is survived by her son Guy (Gina) of O’Fallon, MO.; daughter, Treva (Ken) Peters of Woodbury, Minn. She especially enjoyed her five grandchildren, Brett, Brock, Madeline, Nicole, and Isabel. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Della was one of 18 children. She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry and sisters, Alice Fumo, Beverly Washburn, Marie Chud, Gloria Weber, Florence La Fave, Xina Petras, Isabelle DiBiase, Blanche Micheau, Loretta Beauchamp, and Anna Mae Anderson; and by her brothers; Raymond, Henry, Francis, Ernest, William, Leslie, and Charles.
A special thanks to St. Peter’s Manor in St. Peters, MO, and all of the caregivers who cared for her in recent years.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 29, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Niagara, Wis. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Michael Lightner will officiate. Burial will take place in Niagara Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to a charity of your choice is suggested in Della's memory.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Della’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services-Niagara Chapel, Niagara, Wis., to honor Della’s legacy of life.
Della was born on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1922, in Escanaba, Mich., to Agnes and Charles Beauchamp. Della grew up in Kingsford, Mich., graduating from Kingsford High School, class of 1940. She was crowned the first Miss Iron Mountain/Kingsford at a July 4th celebration at Lake Antoine in Iron Mountain. After high school, she moved to Racine, Wis, where she lived and worked for Qualheims and Modine Manufacturing at jobs she loved. In 1960, she met Jerry Gordon. They married at St. Anthony Catholic Church on September 9, 1961, and built their life and family in Niagara, Wis.
The hallmarks of Della’s life were faith, family, and community. Early in her adult life, she was active in the Wisconsin Catholic Junior League and eventually served as president. Likewise, after marrying and moving to Niagara, Della could be found leading various organizations. She was the founder of the Maryhill Manor Nursing Home Women’s Guild, which helped to raise funds for the nursing home in their early years while operated by the order of nuns, Sister Servants of Christ the King. Della served for 17 years as their president. She also helped lead St. Anthony’s Christian Mother’s and Guild for many years. She enjoyed working and serving on the Green Bay Diocese Council of Catholic Women and eventually served on their board and as their president.
Della was dedicated to service in her community, and it was easy to see the energy it gave her as well as earning her the nickname Della the Dealer. She would go from business to business selling hundreds of raffle tickets.
In addition to community involvement, Della enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling. She loved the arts and was an excellent ballroom dancer. She danced her way through life. If music was playing, she was dancing.
Della is survived by her son Guy (Gina) of O’Fallon, MO.; daughter, Treva (Ken) Peters of Woodbury, Minn. She especially enjoyed her five grandchildren, Brett, Brock, Madeline, Nicole, and Isabel. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Della was one of 18 children. She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry and sisters, Alice Fumo, Beverly Washburn, Marie Chud, Gloria Weber, Florence La Fave, Xina Petras, Isabelle DiBiase, Blanche Micheau, Loretta Beauchamp, and Anna Mae Anderson; and by her brothers; Raymond, Henry, Francis, Ernest, William, Leslie, and Charles.
A special thanks to St. Peter’s Manor in St. Peters, MO, and all of the caregivers who cared for her in recent years.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 29, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Niagara, Wis. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Michael Lightner will officiate. Burial will take place in Niagara Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to a charity of your choice is suggested in Della's memory.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Della’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services-Niagara Chapel, Niagara, Wis., to honor Della’s legacy of life.