Della Steineckert

September 24, 2019 brought the passing of our honored mother, Della Alice Nielson Pottberg Steineckert, PhD, 86 back to her heavenly home. What ultimate joy for you, Mom, to reunite with your parents Bertha and Leonard Nielson, brothers Don and Ivan Nielson, and sister Loraine Crawford. Mom, we are so happy you can now be with the ancestors whom you know and love through your dedicated genealogical endeavors. You made the world a better place and became a great woman of substance far ahead of your time.

Della was born in Romeo, Colorado on July 26, 1933. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Home Economics. Later, she earned a Master of Science in Education from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. She taught high school home economics in Colorado, Wyoming, and California and then achieved her life-long dream of becoming an instructor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She later earned her PhD from Florida State University and returned to Brigham Young University as a professor.

Among other successful accomplishments, Della coauthored a fitting and pattern alteration textbook, and founded and coordinated the Intermountain Sewing and Needle Arts Conference. Della was active in various teaching capacities in the LDS church throughout her life and served a mission in Nauvoo Illinois. She also performed a term of technical support for an LDS genealogical site. Della planted and cultivated beautiful home gardens, flowers, and trees which was a greatly loved hobby of hers. She was a professional fashion designer, tailor and seamstress.

Della is survived by her son Kim (Lori) Pottberg, daughters Valerie Nizzardini and Valoy (Joerg) Kohlmann, sisters Wilma Crowther and Nanalee Shawcroft, many beloved nieces and nephews, her grandchildren John, Christopher, Chere, Cory, Chad, Cody, and Anja, and her great grandchildren Caden, Kyla, Isabella, Lewis, Cason, Noelle, Cael, Lauren, and Camden.

Dearest Mom, Aunt Della, and Grandma Della, you touched our lives deeply and we will continue sharing and telling your life’s moments and memories.  Mom, we love you more than words can describe and we care for you beyond measure. We miss you so much.  Your life’s deeds were significant and you taught us to be compassionate, resourceful, kind, honest, and knowledgeable and to always share our talents and abilities with others. Love, Kim, Valerie, and Valoy.