Della Bridget Goff Archer

September 27, 1923 ~ May 1, 2013
Della Bridget Goff Archer was born September 27, 1923 in Cortez, CO. She passed away on May 1, 2013 in Blanding, UT at the age of 89. Della is the youngest of four children born to John Oliver and Dora Bell Dugan Goff.
Della spent the early years of her life on the homestead south of Cortez.
She also spent much of her youth in Mancos, CO. Della lost her father while she was a small girl and her mother while she was a teenager, resulting in moving in with her older sister and brother-in-law.
On August 6, 1941 Della married Dalbert Archer in Reno, NV. They worked in a factory in Stockton, CA during World War II.
In 1948 they moved to Tracy, CA where Dalbert went to work on a bee ranch. In 1956 they moved to their own place where they became full-time bee ranchers.
In 1960 their only child, Kathy (Kathleen) was born. In 1964 they expanded their business and relocated to Herald, CA.
In 1978 they sold the operation in California and moved to Monticello where Dalbert continued his bee operation in a scaled down mode. Della declared herself “retired” and devoted herself to gardening.
Della had many hobbies: she loved to crochet, sew, read anything she could get hands on, crossword puzzles and hand-held poker games.
One of Della’s great joys was gardening with her son-in-law, Ronnie. They were quite a formidable pair in the “green thumb” department.
Della was know around the area as the “the lady with the cute hats”, she had many in her collection. It wasn’t out of character for her share her hats with people. Della developed many friendships in Monticello, with the strongest friendship between herself and Shirley Steffen. They continued to be “besties” until the end.
She had another great joy when her granddaughter Bridget, her namesake, was born. She loved to baby-sit her while mom worked and felt a huge emptiness when Bridget was old enough to go to school. She was very proud of her when upon graduation she became a certified nursing aide.
She was overjoyed when her great-granddaughter Angelica was born. Della doted on this little one; she had a special place in her heart. She loved all her grandchildren and took great delight in teasing Katie and Shelton.
Della is survived by daughter Kathy (Ronnie) Rogers of Monticello, granddaughters Bridget Gutierrez of Arizona and Katie (Shelton) Shumway of Blanding, great-grandchildren Marshall, Deryl and Colton Shumway of Blanding and Angelica, Ronnie and A. Dalbert Gutierrez.
She is also survived by brother Charlie Goff of Mancos, CO, best friend Shirley (JJ) Steffen of Monticello, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Della is preceded in death by her parents, sister Dora Goff Black, brother John Goff, and many sisters and brothers-in-law. She leaves a big void in the lives of those who knew and loved her.
Memorial services are May 18 at First Baptist Church in Monticello, with John Williams presiding.
Rest in peace with the Lord, Della. You are deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Card of thanks
The family of Della Archer would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent words of encouragement and love on the passing of our mom/grandmother/sister/friend. A big thank you to the Four Corners Regional Care Center and San Juan Hospital and Dr. Reay, the community and our family at First Baptist Church. You will never know just how deeply we have been touched by all you’ve done for mom and for us. God bless every one of you.
Kathy & Ronnie Rogers
Bridget Gutierrez & kids
Katie Shumway family
Shirley & JJ Steffen