Della Mariah Walter of Hermiston passed away peacefully on July 19, 2019 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland at the age of 88.
She was born on March 2, 1931 in Washingtonville, Ohio to John and Ruth Baker Klink.
Della grew up and attended school in Washingtonville, Ohio. She worked in the health care industry most of her career. After starting as a nurse’s aide in a London, Ohio nursing home, she was employed as a nurse’s aide at Madison County Hospital. Then she worked as an LPN and cottage supervisor at Orient State Mental Hospital. After retiring as a medical assistant for the Karl Road Urgent Care Center in Westerville, Ohio, she did private in-home caregiving.
Della married Herbert E. Covert in 1947 in Kentucky, and from this union three children were born: (Sharon) Helena, Stanley and Scott. The couple later divorced. Her second marriage was to Donald Walter, who preceded her in death in 1998. Della moved to Hermiston almost two years ago to be near her daughter for her remaining years.
Della enjoyed her cats, hand quilting, sewing, crocheting, and collecting frog knick-knacks. She was especially proud of the many hand-sewn teddy bears she made for the Blendon Township Police and Fire Department in Westerville, Ohio to give to distressed children that they encountered in their work. Over the years, she also shared her skills by making and donating many hand-crafted items to various charities. Della was a long-time active member of the Blendon Township Senior Center, where she led the quilting group and had served as a board member. Formerly, she was a 4-H club sewing leader in Summerford, Ohio. Most recently, she was a member of the Hermiston Yarn Club.
Della is survived by her daughter, Helena Wolfe and significant other Steven Potter of Hermiston; sons, Stanley and wife Loretta Covert of Galloway, Ohio
and Scott Covert of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Sean Serafini, Joshua Freeman, David Covert, Alyssa Wolfe and Heidi Wolfe; 11 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; sister, Marie Klink Powers and significant other Ivan Miller of London, Ohio; many extended family members; and countless family of the heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, John Raymond, Billy, Jimmy and Freddie; and five sisters, Isobel, Lettie, Helen, Emma and Pat.
At her request, no services will be held.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Pet Rescue Humane Society of Eastern Oregon or to a charity of one’s choice.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com. Humorous anecdotes of your experiences with Della are welcome.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
