Martha Dellinger

Martha "Marty" Jane Dellinger

Born September 5, 1927

Transitioned to Heaven July 21, 2018

Marty was born Martha Jane Ells of German parents who both emigrated from Russia in the late 1800's and met in the melon fields of Sugar City Colorado. Marty was born in a farmhouse and delivered by her father and a neighbor lady. She was one of 10 births, of which only 7 lived to adulthood. Many years later she and her siblings thought it would be a good idea to have birth certificates created after the fact.

Farming life was hard work with many sacrifices. Being born at the beginning of the Great Depression, she often told the story of only having beans to eat; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everyone worked on the farm, old and young alike. It was a time and place of kerosene lanterns for light, wood and coal burning stoves for cooking and heating and shared bath water for the entire family with tin wash basins instead of bath tubs. This is where Marty learned and taught her family the value of always working hard, a great sense of humor, family love and celebrating the good things in life.

After leaving the farm during WWII, she started nursing school but later started working as a secretary for insurance companies. She met Bill Dellinger and quickly fell in love with her 6' 4" Marine and wed on August 19, 1947. They settled in Aurora Colorado and raised 3 children: Buck, Dede and Denver. For a brief time, from 1967 till 1974, lived in Dallas Texas where they quickly found many lifelong friends. After moving back to Colorado they lived in Perry Park for 19 years while she worked at Safeway in Castle Rock and retired in 1993. Marty and Bill then moved to Wolhurst Village in Littleton, Colorado where they lived for 21 years. Marty eventually moved to Brookside Inn in Castle Rock where she was a favorite resident. Her bright eyes, great smile and "giggles" brightened up everyone's day as it did for everyone her entire life.

In addition to falling in love with Bill, Marty also fell in love with the lifestyle he introduced her to of the outdoors and fishing in the wilderness. Every summer weekend, and long vacations from Dallas, would find them in the Northern Colorado Mountains along with their children and grandchildren and many friends all enjoying the experience and each other. Marty loved to cook on the open camp fire and would serve outstanding full course meals, often bragging about being able to handle hot skillets with her bare hands, an ability she developed on the coal burning cook stoves from her farm life.

Marty was always busy with her gardening, women's club, camping trips, attending family gatherings and attending Foothills Bible Church where she was baptized in 2009. After retirement from Safeway she continued to work part time well into her 80"s instructing water aerobics and taking care of "little old ladies" although she never considered herself one. In 2007 she was had her wish fulfilled for her 80th birthday when her children took her floating down the Gunnison River and later camping and cooking around the campfire in the high country.

Marty is preceded in death by her husband Bill (August 1998) and her son Denver (April 2018). She is survived by her brother Benny Ells, sister Ester Morse, son Buck (Connie), daughter Dede (Leonard) Shackell, grandchildren Jennifer Dellinger, MR Dellinger, Amanda Dellinger, Tara Shackell and Ryan Smith.

The family has planned a Celebration of Marty's life at the home of Buck and Connie Dellinger, 5436 S. Laredo St., Centennial, CO 80015 on August 26th at 3pm. Light food will be served.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Brookside Inn, Activities Department, 1297 S Perry Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104 in memory of Marty Dellinger