Della Mariah (Klink) Walter

Della Mariah Walter of Hermiston was born March 2, 1931 in Washingtonville, Ohio, the daughter of John and Ruth (Baker) Klink. Following a major stroke, she peacefully transitioned to her new life while hospitalized at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, on July 19, 2019 at the age of 88 years.

Della grew up and attended school in Washingtonville, Ohio. She worked in the health care industry most of her career. After starting as a Nurse’s Aide in a London, Ohio nursing home, she was employed as a Nurse’s Aide at Madison County Hospital. Then she worked as a LPN and Cottage Supervisor at Orient State Mental Hospital. After retiring as a Medical Assistant for the Karl Road Urgent Care Center in Westerville, Ohio, she did private in-home caregiving.

Della married Herbert E. Covert in 1947 in Kentucky, and from this union three children were born: (Sharon) Helena, Stanley and Scott. The couple later divorced. Her second marriage was to Donald Walter, who preceded her in death in 1998. Della moved to Hermiston, Oregon almost two years ago to be near her daughter for her remaining years.

Della enjoyed her cats, hand quilting, sewing, crocheting, and collecting frog knick-knacks. She was especially proud of the many hand-sewn teddy bears she made for the Blendon Township Police and Fire Department in Westerville, Ohio to give to distressed children that they encountered in their work. Over the years, she also shared her skills by making and donating many hand-crafted items to various charities. Della was a long-time active member of the Blendon Township Senior Center, where she lead the quilting group and had served as a board member. Formerly, she was a 4-H club sewing leader in Summerford, Ohio. Most recently, she was a member of the Hermiston Yarn Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, John Raymond, Billy, Jimmy, and Freddie; and five sisters, Isobel, Lettie, Helen, Emma, and Pat.

Della is survived by her daughter, Helena Wolfe and significant other Steven Potter of Hermiston, Oregon; sons, Stanley and wife Loretta Covert of Galloway, Ohio, and Scott Covert of Phoenix, Arizona; 5 grandchildren (Sean Serafini, Joshua Freeman, David Covert, Alyssa Wolfe, Heidi Wolfe); 11 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Marie Klink Powers and significant other Ivan Miller of London, Ohio; many extended family members; and countless family of the heart.

At her request, no services will be held. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Pet Rescue Humane Society of Eastern Oregon or to a charity of one’s choice.

To leave an online condolence for the family, please click on the Tribute Wall link above. Humorous anecdotes of your experiences with Della are welcome.

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