Eulogy for Della Julia Barone Smith Walker given by her son Frank E. Smith

Mother was born in Haynes, North Dakota on July 14, 1912. While working for her future in-laws William Michael and Mary Rachel Smith she met their son Frank Emil Smith who had just returned home from the Army. They were married on January 25, 1929 when Mother was just 16 and Father was 40.

Mother gave birth to Irene Doris the next year (1930) at age 17. The following year (1931) Mother, now 19, gave birth to Fern Elizabeth followed in 1932 by the oldest of her four (4) sons Donald Joseph. Mother was just 20 years old. The next bundle of joy born to Frank and Della Smith arrived five (5) years later in 1937 and was named Jonathan Franklin (Mother was now 25). Two (2) years later (1939) Yvonne Marie was next to grace the Smith household (Mother was now 27). Mother’s third son Melvin William arrived in 1944 when she was 32. In her 37th year Mother gave birth to a mistake named Frank Emil who she often referred to as her baby boy.

The legacy of Della Julia Barone Smith Walker includes 3 daughters, 4 sons (1 deceased), 26 grandchildren (2 deceased), 26 great-grandchildren (1 deceased) and 2 great great grandchildren.

Mother provided a home for her husband Frank and their seven (7) children on a small farm south of Lemmon, South Dakota until Father’s poor health forced them to sell it and move into town. While in Lemmon, Mother and Father operated the Palace Hotel (1954-55). In 1956, the family, now just 3 boys (Donnie, Mel & Frankie), moved to Miles City, Montana where Mother went to work at the 600 Café as a cook. After our Father passed away in 1959 Mother met and married our stepfather Alvin Tandy Walker in 1960. Pop had three (3) children of his own and Mother now had stepchildren (Tandy, Dyla and Alvin). Later that year Mother opened her own restaurant (Della’s Café) on the corner of 10th and Bridge Streets. In 1962 the restaurant was relocated to the 2500 block of East Main Street and renamed Della’s Café & Drive-In.

The baked goods, especially her pies, were legendary throughout the city and county, Mother’s baking and cooking skills have few equals and that fact is acknowledged by many Miles City to this day.

In 1972 Mother closed the café and retired. After retiring Mother was able to devote more time to her passions: bowling, bowling, crocheting, knitting, sewing, playing card games and bowling. In addition, Mom volunteered at the Senior Center and Custer County Nursing Home until she became too ill to continue.

The following is an anecdote that will stick with me for the rest of my life: On Mother’s 76th birthday we were having her party at the house on Lincoln and I was sitting on the tailgate of my pickup, wearing a straw hat. Mom came by and saw me and starting laughing harder that I had ever seen her laugh. You see I don’t wear hats and Mother thought it was hilarious.

Final thought: Tomorrow (December 11, 1996) we commit Mother’s body to the ground but her soul is now with God. And most importantly her spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of her family and friends.