Delores Zella

Delores Zella passed peacefully from this earth on Monday, February 6, 2023, at the age of 80, surrounded by family.  She was born in Yoakum, Texas on February 20, 1942, to Alvin and Hertha Schroeder.  

Delores is survived by her husband, Carl Zella; her children, Corliss Zella-Slusher (Byron) and Charles Zella (Liz); her sisters, Carolyn Schlinke (Dennis) and Geraldine Kuester.  She was blessed with seven grandchildren, Westley Goldstein (Teonna), Corbyn Slusher, Charlee Zella, Colee Zella, Creek Zella, Maddie Blackwell and Lyndie Blackwell.  

Her early years were spent in Yoakum Tx. on the farm, picking cotton, harvesting corn and maize, and learning the value of hard work. This value was evidenced later in her life as she and Carl had a ranch of their own.  She attended and was confirmed in the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  

Delores and Carl met when she was at the young age of 16 at Turner Dancehall.  Though keeping in touch through the years, they didn’t begin dating until February of 1960.  Carl was drafted mid-June 1960 into the Army.  While in the service, they continued to correspond, and while Carl requested her hand in marriage, Delores responded that she wanted to wait till he returned from his military service.  He returned home June of 1962, proposed in August, and a wedding date was set for February 16, 1963.

Delores began her working career at Tex-Tan Leather in Yoakum Tx.  Four years later, Carl decided that he could no longer commute 30 miles to work every day, so she packed up their things and they moved to Gonzales, where she and Carl have resided since.  

Once settled in Gonzales, she went to work for John Charles DuBose at DuBose Insurance.  Delores and Carl had their first child, Corliss in 1969.  In Delores’ own words, “Charles was added to the mix” in 1973.  To say that her bouncing, baby boy was the “love of her life” would be an understatement.  There were many joys of motherhood, and the only thing she loved more than being a mother, was being a grandmother.  Delores, better known as Dee-Dee, thanks to her grandkids, loved spending time with them and watching them participate, or hearing about their various activities.  Whether it was Corbyn’s soccer games, Maddie’s volleyball games, teaching Lyndie to bake, enjoying Colee’s “wild man roping”, Charlee’s track, sharing fish stories with Westley, or just getting to hold Creek, she loved each and every one of them in her own special way.  

Delores had several other hobbies besides her grandkids.  She had a zest for journaling about daily events and people that passed through her life.  She also enjoyed cooking and baking.  She loved baking cakes for Carl to take to the auction and did that for many years. 

Delores played a pivotal role in the success of Carl’s cattle operations.   Whether it was keeping the books, putting out feed, or giving a bottle to a motherless calf, she was always there to help.

Delores was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a friend.  She was loved by many and will be missed by all.  

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 10th from 5:00pm -7:00pm at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.   Funeral services will also be at Seydler-Hill on Saturday, February 11th at 10:00 with Jesse Elizondo officiating.  Interment will follow in Gonzales Hermann Sons Cemetery. Pallbearers:  Gary Zella, Bradley Baker, Ricky Bazan, Clinton Schlinke, Bryan Zella, and Randy Zella. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pilot Club of Gonzales.  Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.