Date of Birth:
Friday, November 28, 1924
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Age:
98 years old

Deloris J. Padilla

Our beloved mother, Deloris Joan (Roelofs) Padilla, daughter of Edwin and May Roelofs, was born Nov. 28, 1924 in Preston, MN and passed peacefully to the Lord on March 11. 2023. Famiy members were nearby. Deloris was the oldest of four children – Maynard, Harvey and Lauris Jean. She grew up on a farm and her family was part of a close-knit Dutch, farming community in rural Greenleafton, MN. One of the numerous schools Mom attended, Prairie Queen grade school, was a two-room schoolhouse about a mile from home. In wintry, heavy snows, her father would take Deloris and her siblings to school on his horse-pulled wagon. There were fond memories of her gatherings with many cousins and friends, like roller skating in a hayloft and a former country store in Greenleafton. This was just across the road from the Greenleafton Reformed Church where the family attended and were members. After her high school years in Preston, Deloris moved to Rochester and lived with a couple who were friends of the family, rooming with four other friends. Her first job was at the Worrall Hospital. Mom chuckled when she told about the time she was carrying out a tray full of food and drinks to the employee dining room. As she was pushing the swivel door out someone pushed it in and the whole tray of food crashed to the floor…and she didn’t get fired! She also worked at Waters Conley and built radios for the war effort.

It was around this time that she met her future husband, Tony (Antonio) Padilla, a serviceman from San Antonio, TX, who won her heart. They were married February 16, 1945 in Kansas City where he was stationed. After living a year in San Antonio, TX near Tony’s family which included Jesse (Chuey), Margie, Velia (Billie), Alicia, and Rachel, they moved back to Rochester where the family grew to six children, three girls and three boys. Eventually Deloris returned to part-time work as a waitress, working at the Colonial Cafe, Carter’s Kitchen (with her 2 oldest daughters), Perkins, Wendy’s and Burger King. Having the Mayo Clinic in town they found opportunities to befriend people with special health needs. Numerous people with lengthy stays from different states and countries were invited in for a meal by Deloris and Tony. When they were able to buy their first and only home in Country Club Manor, they were fortunate to have as lifetime friends and next-door neighbors, Mary and Elmer VanDerHeyden. Mom and Dad were active in their kids’ sports and other activities attending dance events and recitals, gymnastics, track, football and wrestling, even making many out-of-town trips. NAMI had a special place in their hearts when they attended and became involved in this very special outreach organization for the mentally ill. Camping trips up north, out west, the southwest, Hawaii, Florida and Mexico were family affairs attended by all the children along with trips to San Antonio, TX to visit the Padilla family there.

After Tony passed away, Deloris eventually moved to assisted living at Arbor Terrace where she lived for almost 11 years. She was always looking out for others to befriend and assist as she could. She enjoyed bingo, special programs, church services, crafts, shopping and memorable trips to see family members. Our Mom survived two bouts of the COVID virus in 2021-22 and was a determined, strong survivor who loved life.

She is survived by her sister Lauris Jean Prinsen, children Cecilia Martin, grandchildren Brook and Carmen (Greg) great grandchildren Calder and Corina; Connie Deitschman (Gary), grandchildren Nathan (Tara) and Andrew; Charles Padilla (Kay), grandchildren Justin and Tom and great grandchildren Makenzee, Lola and Logan; Curtis Padilla, granddaughter Piaouxe; granddaughter Brandy (Joe) Treptau; Carey Padilla; and sister Lauris Jean Prinsen. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, beloved son-in-law Harry Martin and beloved daughter Cynthia Beatrice Padilla.

A visitation and funeral service will be held April 15, 2023 at Macken Funeral Home. A visitation at 10:00 will be proceeded by the service at 11:00 with a lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage memorials to Arbor Terrace or NAMI.

The family wishes to thank the Arbor Terrace Assisted Living staff for their extraordinary kindness and care they have shown to our mother Deloris and her family. We also thank the Mayo Clinic Palliative Care and Seasons Hospice for their tenderness in caring for our Mom. We also want to acknowledge and thank long-time friends of our parents Mary and Elmer VanDerHeyden. They have been good, supportive friends for over 52 years.

To view a live stream of the service, click here.