Cover photo for Delores Cottrell's Obituary
Delores Cottrell Profile Photo
1921 Delores 2015

Delores Cottrell

November 29, 1921 — June 27, 2015

Delores Katherine Fischer Cottrell passed away peacefully in Sutter-Davis Hospital after a short illness on June 27th, 2015 in Davis, California at the age of 93. Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Onuiel Cottrell and is survived by her 3 daughters, Hanifah Murfin of Leverett, Massachusetts, Denise Cottrell of Winters, California, and Lois Cottrell of Pleasant Hill, California, and 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Delores was born on November 29, 1921 in Bon Homme, South Dakota to Christina and Christian Fischer. She was the sixth of 12 children who lived and worked on a self-sustaining farm on the plains of South Dakota. Delores attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse however she was unable to complete her education due to the needs of the family farm. Delores did not let the lack of a formal education dampen her curiosity and desire for learning. In 1977 Delores returned to night school and received her high school diploma.

At the age of 19 Delores traveled with her brother, Ervin Fischer, and his wife to California. Once there, she undertook a number of jobs including waitressing, working at a dry cleaner, and as a nurse's aide. At the beginning of World War II she went to work as a "Rosie the Riveter" at the Douglas Aircraft Factory in Los Angeles. She met Onuiel "Lucky" Cottrell at a USO dance. They were married on March 12, 1944. Delores continued working until he returned from the war.

Delores and Onuiel lived in Santa Monica, California and eventually made a home in Covina, California where Delores enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her three daughters. In 1969, Delores moved with her family to northern California where she lived in Lodi, Davis, and Antioch. After her husband Onuiel passed away in 1998, Delores settled in Davis, California where she continued to be active in her church, and tending her garden. In April of 2014 she moved to the Carlton Plaza in Davis, where she was a greeter and an active member of the community enjoying every exercise class they offered, and provided baking and cooking expertise to culinary classes. Family and friends remember Delores as a kind and generous woman, always willing to help everyone to pursue their goals.

Delores was an accomplished gardener. She enjoyed tending her favorite rose plants. She also turned her green thumb to growing fruits and vegetables that she shared with family and friends. Delores was an excellent baker and cake decorator and used her creative culinary talents to delight family and friends with special treats. She was a member of Delta Quilters when she lived in Antioch, California and was also a lifetime member of the American Legion. She was a generous and optimistic individual who loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was an active and dedicated member of the Lutheran Church.

A memorial service is scheduled for August 18th at 2:00 pm at Lutheran Church Of the Incarnation (LCI) 1701 Russell Boulevard, Davis, California, with a reception to follow at the Parish Hall. The Reverend Dr. Daniel R. Smith will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Delores' life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Sutter Davis Hospital Foundation, 2000 Sutter Place, Davis CA 95616, or Yolo Hospice P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617. Condolences can be sent to the family in care of Denise Cottrell, 210 Main Street, Winters, California. The family would like to thank the staff of the Carlton Plaza for their service in the last years of Delores' life and the caregivers of the Sutter-Davis Hospital and the Yolo Hospice for their care and dedication in Delores' final days.

Previous Events

Memorial
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
2:00 PM
Lutheran Church of the Incarnation

1701 Russell Blvd
Davis, CA 95616

Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Sutter Davis Hospital Foundation

Yolo Hospice


To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Delores Cottrell, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 9

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree