Della L. Wilkes

A  graveside service for Della L. Wilkes, 96, of North Bend was held Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Fairview Cemetery in Scappoose, Oregon with Garry Olson officiating.

Della was born July 28, 1923 at home in Mora, Minnesota to Carrie (Anderson) and Raymond Beyers alongside four brothers and two sisters.  She passed away February 26, 2020 in Coos Bay.

When she was 12 years old, the family moved to Scappoose.  After graduating from Scappoose High School in 1942, she completed Business College and worked in the accounting department for Fred Meyer.   In 1944 she married Gilbert Elvin Wilkes.  They had a son, Gilbert W “Punky” in 1945 and a daughter, Judy in 1946.  In 1956 the next move was to Enterprise, Oregon to help Gilbert’s step father Gus Gustavo manage his business interests.  She also worked for 10 years at the Wallowa County Sheriff’s office, processing property taxes. After that, Della started a new career as a Star Route postal delivery person for the Enterprise post office. 

Della was a lifelong member of the Enterprise First Baptist Church.

In retirement, Gilbert and Della returned to Scappoose, where they enjoyed traveling and rock hounding.  After Gilbert passed away in 1988, Della was lucky to live in an area where her sisters and many lifelong friends from high school lived.  They shared many interests like going to weekly lunches, antiquing, and watching MSNBC; solving many of the world’s problems. 

Della is survived by her daughter, Judy (Steve) Hixson North Bend; grandsons, Ryan (Heather) Hixson  of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, David Hixson of North Bend, Jason Wilkes of  Scappoose; granddaughter, Karla Morris of West Palm Beach, Florida; 3 great grandchildren; 2 great - great grandchildren and daughter of the heart, Rose Seacrest-Savor.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step fathers, Albert Seline, Gus Gustavo; husband, Gilbert; son, Gilbert “Punky”; brother-in-law, Clifford Wilkes; grandson, Mark Hixson; brothers, Stanley, Willard, Howard, and Loren Beyers and sisters, Irene Oien and Nancy Arendell.   

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131. Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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