Delores A. (Alvarado) Vela

We come to celebrate our mother, Delores A. (Alvarado) Vela born to Frank and Angela Alvarado on February 7, 1924, who was called home on August 12, 2016. She’s now joined with our father, Lucio M. Vela, dancing in the celestial ballroom in Heaven. She was given her wings after living a long, happy, and adventurous 92 years to spend eternal life with God and all the loved ones who preceded her.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 AM on Tuesday in St. Patrick’s Church with Father Dominic Garramone OSB officiating. Burial will be in St. Vincent’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 4 to 8:00 PM in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with additional visitation on Tuesday in the church from 9:00 AM until time of services.

Delores was an Ottawa High School graduate and attended LPO Jr. College and Illinois Valley Community College, where she took job-related courses. She worked for the Transportation Corps of the War Department in the Pentagon during World War II. She was headed to the Nuremburg trials as a stenographer, when Lucio asked for her hand in marriage. They were married on April 2, 1947 in Washington D.C. Delores worked for 8 years as the office manager of the LaSalle County State’s Attorney. She was a secretary for realtor Ryan Cawley, and Attorneys Patrick Cawley, James Hurley, and June Helmig, and the LaSalle County Housing Authority.

Her civil efforts include: Cub Scout Den Mother of Matthiessen School, St. Patrick’s school board member and Girl Scout Counselor, LaSalle Bicentennial Pulaski Park Picnic Committee, St. Joseph’s/Resurrection Church Altar & Rosary “Heavenly Duster” Committee and Eucharistic Minister.  Delores was awarded for her outstanding volunteerism at the Senior Center.

Delores is survived by her children, Teresa (Rick) Pavy of LaSalle, Robert M. (Sue) of Lockport, Rae (Mike) Pavy of LaSalle, Steve (Laurie) Vela of LaSalle, Christine (Jerry) Happ of Decatur, Louise (Don) Rey of Kansas City, MO, Toni (Tim) Ellis of Rochelle, and Matthew Paul (Susan) Vela of Kansas City, MO. Delores leaves 24 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, brothers Ralph, Frank, and Terry Alvarado and sisters Lou Diaz, Eleanor Sierkowski, Mikki Wagner, and Patti Alvarado.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lucio M.; sons Robert A. and Frank Vela; parents Frank and Angela Alvarado; brothers Raymond and Richie; sisters Juanita Duran, Ann Curtis and Ester Diaz; son-in-law Stephen A. Gohlmann; daughters-in-law Susan (Safranski) Vela and Lori (Fues) Vela; and grandson Jason P. Happ.

Delores was surrounded by her family and will be truly missed by all.

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