DELLA ROSE (MILLER) BOTKINS
Fairgrove
Was called to her eternal rest on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the Carriage House in Bay City. She was born in Bloomer, WI on March 1, 1915, and she lived in the faith of Jesus Christ as her Savior for 94 years. Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Della was one of 12 children born to Emil and Lena (Martin) Miller. She married Malcolm J. “Hap” Botkins on June 17, 1939. Hap preceded her to heaven in September of 1997. They had two children, Marliyn R. Ballard of Fairgrove and Robert C. Botkins of Ontonagon. The young family moved to Fairgrove in 1948 where they built their home together — cinder block by cinder block. As founding members of Grace Lutheran Church, they continued the construction process and helped to build not only the first church building in 1952, but also the current sanctuary in 1984. Della worked as a cook at both Fairgrove Elementary School and then at the State Hospital in Caro for 25 years. After a back injury, she retired in 1975. Hap and Della spent a lot of time at their cabin in Skidway Lake as well as many winters in Lake Wales, FL. Della brought the love of cooking to her family and friends and was hostess to many celebrations, dinners and BBQs. When she made a batch of cinnamon rolls, it was always a large batch that was shared with the girls at the bank, doctor’s office and her pastor. Fond memories are being shared by Della’s family which includes, daughter, Marilyn Ballard of Fairgrove; son, Robert and Sherill Botkins of Ontonagon; granddaughter, Deadra and Dan Hurley of Bay City; granddaughter, Andrea and Don Beson of Bay City; grandson, Scott Ballard of Akron; granddaughter, Monica and Travis Kangas of California; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and other family members, sisters, sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. To continue the spread of Christ’s Gospel message of salvation, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church’s Bell Tower Fund in Fairgrove. Funeral service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairgrove on Wednesday, July 1 at 11 a.m. On Wednesday, July 1, Della will be taken to church where she will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Pastor Leonard Astrowski will officiate, with burial to follow in Brookside Cemetery. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.martinfuneralhome.com. Martin Funeral Home in Fairgrove assisted the family with the arrangements.