Della Mae Colman, 95, of Rapid City, passed away on April 24, 2016 with family at her side at Clarkson Health Care.

She was born in the mountains of North Carolina, near Tuckasegee to Vaughn Bryan and Beatrice (Robinson) Watson on October 29, 1920.  Following the tragic death of her 24 year old father, and her mother's inability at age 19 to care for their four children, Della and her siblings were entrusted to Mills Home Orphanage in Thomasville, NC where she resided through high school.

She graduated from North Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1947 and answered an ad regarding a position at New Underwood Hospital where she met her future husband, William "Bill" Colman.  They married January 2, 1949, and to their union were born three daughters; Andrea, Anita and Mary.  They farmed near New Underwood until Bill's death in 1991, after which time she lived in her home in Rapid City, where she continued her passion for gardening and a host of other activities until May, 2014.

The family wishes to convey special thanks to Dr. Egon Dzintars, the staff members of There's A Hart Assisted Living and Clarkson Health Care for their loving and compassionate care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings; Carl and Larry Watson and Vernita Robinson, several cousins, her husband and one grandchild.  She is survived by daughters; Andrea (Brian) Barber, Hermosa, Anita (Kenny) Lee, Sturgis and Mary (Steve) Erdman, Marcus, IA.  Also surviving are six grandchildren; Janet Goff and Shane Barber, Rick and Gary Lee and Ben and Jesse Erdman and ten great grandchildren.

Arrangements are entrusted to Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home where a Memorial Service will be held May 26 at 3:00pm with a time with family one hour prior.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at the New Underwood Cemetery at New Underwood.

Memorials may be directed to the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Department, the Alzheimer's Association or Rapid City Christian School in her name.

Condolences may be sent to www.osheimschmidt.com.