HELPER - Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Delta Erickson Martinelli passed away peacefully May 19, 2012 at the age of 96.
She was born in Fairview on Aug. 19, 1915 the fifth of eight children to Eric and Edna Rigby Erickson. She married Louis A. Martinelli, Aug. 26, 1944 in Evanston, Wyo. Delta was a longtime resident of Carbon County where they built and operated The Martinelli Motel in Helper for over 30 years.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Delta was known to always have a hot meal for family, friends, guests of the motel and folks down on their luck passing through on the railroad. In her retirement years she enjoyed traveling with her sisters and friends from the Spanish Fork Seniors group. She loved spending time with her family, eating a good meal, playing cards, taking road trips and even being "The Boat Captain" on the occasional fishing trip.
Though Delta was blessed with two children of her own, her family extended far beyond. She was a loyal and loving friend, a favorite auntie, and grandma to all. Delta was a spit fire of a woman. She always enjoyed being quick witted and loved getting her "tease on". She truly enjoyed a good giggle from a "shocked and surprised" audience.
We will miss her loving hands, her stubborn will, and her sense of humor. We thank her for all the lessons learned and the loving memories that will grant her eternal life in ours.
Delta is survived by her daughter, Linda Lou (Tim) Turner, Price; granddaughters, Amber Lynn Holbrook, Salt Lake City, LaDawn Hoehle, Urbandale, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Louie Jay and Jazlyn W. Hoehle, both of Urbandale, Iowa; granddaughter, Linda Jean Martinelli, grandson, Jimmy Dean Martinelli, both of Oklahoma; special granddaughter, Jenn Jensen (Jack) Douglass, Salt Lake City; many loving nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by parents, husband, son, Dean E. Martinelli; grandson, Richard Louis Martinelli; four brothers, Marion, Calvin, Harold and Reed; three sisters, Vesta, Edith and Phyllis.
The family would like to give special thanks for the loving care provided to Delta by Rocky Mountain Hospice, Castleview Hospital, and Pinnacle Care Center.
Funeral service, Friday, May 25, 2012, 10 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home (233 E. Main Street) in Price. Family will be at Mitchell's Friday morning one hour prior to service. Interment, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. In lieu of flowers a note with your favorite memories of Delta would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Delta at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
