Della Cherry was born to Stella Fausett and Loyd Cherry on November 18, 1939. She was born in Saint Anthony, Idaho, on a bright sunny winter day. She was the only child. Her early childhood was spent at Trude's Ranch on the backwater of the Island Park Reservoir. When Della was 3 years old, her mother would let her go out and play on the snow drifts with her dog, Fibber. Fibber ran out onto the ice of the reservoir and Della followed him. The ice broke away right where she was standing. She fell forward on the ice causing her to be submerged up to her hips in the icy water.  Stella hollered for Loyd because Della was nowhere to be found. Loyd quickly ran to the reservoir and spotted Della in the icy water. Loyd's stature was over 6 feet tall and knew that the ice would not hold his body weight. He waded up along the edge of the lake to where the ice broke off. He was in the icy water up to his shoulders when he finally rescued Della.

As Della neared the age of starting school they moved from Trude's Ranch to the Teton City and Newdale area. This is where the Cherry's and Rackham families became lifelong friends. The Rackhams had 2 daughters, Lois and Mariam who were close in age to Della. Mariam has been quoted to say "We girls were thrilled to have a new friend to play with after our chores and special jobs were done each day." The girls began their first 2 years of high school at South Fremont. The two families moved to Wallace, Idaho, for work in the Sunshine Mine (the largest silver mine in the world). The girl's 3rd year of high school was at Wallace, Idaho. Della dated a little bit in high school. The two families remained in Wallace but Della returned to Teton City to live with the Rackham girls' grandparents to complete her senior year at South Fremont. Throughout her four years of high school, she remained on the Honor Roll, was involved in Tumbling, Future Nurses Club, Treasurer of the Year Book Club, Class Secretary, Student Council, Triple Trio, Treasurer of the Minerettes, a Seminary Graduate, and Queen of the Senior Ball. She graduated in May 1958.

The real reason Della returned to South Fremont for her Senior Year was a man named Kelel Thueson. One of the characteristics she liked about him was how funny he was. They were married on June 12, 1958, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They moved to Coltman, Idaho, where they built their home. Dennis Kelel Thueson was born on May 5, 1959, and Cheryl Thueson was born on July 25, 1960.

Soon after the kids started school, Della attended Eastern Idaho Vocational Technical School and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at the LDS Hospital in Labor and Delivery. Later she went to work for Doctor Drostan Baker in his medical practice. She worked for Doctor Baker for 18 years and then retired.

Della was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was a Camp Director and Camp Counselor for Young Women and served in various assignments in the other auxiliaries of the church. She was a member of the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP).

Della and Kelel accomplished many things throughout their life together such as building the cabin in Island Park. Their main focus in building the cabin was to provide a place where the family could build memories, work, and play together. This provided many opportunities for Chris, Brent, Stephanie, and Eric to build many fond memories of being with Grandma and Grandpa.

Della is survived by her Daughter, Cheryl (Curt) Schiffman; Daughter-in-law, Liz Thueson both of Idaho Falls; Grandchildren: Chris (Rachel) Schwarz, Eric Schwarz, and Stephanie (Colton) Ricks all of Idaho Falls, and great-grandchildren: Cali Bieker, Gwen Chesler-Thueson, Samantha Schiffman, Lukah Schwarz, Ridge Ricks, Rhett Ricks, and Wyatt Ricks. She is preceded in death by her parents: Loyd and Stella Cherry; her husband, Kelel N. Thueson; Son, Dennis Kelel Thueson; and Grandson, Brent James Thueson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 10, 2023, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Burial will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com .