Zella Wilder

August 1, 1917 - May 14, 2014

Zella Wilder, 96, of Rocky Ford, CO, passed away Wednesday, May 14th, peacefully, at her residence. Zella was born in Rumbar, MO on August 7, 1917, a daughter of the late Bessie (Buchanan) and William Ulery and attended schools in Rocky Ford. She was the widow of Lee Bacon Wilder they were married in 1973, at La Junta, CO, he passed away in 1980. She was also married to Riley Judson Thomas, Sr. in 1933 and they later divorced. Zella worked as a Meat Wrapper at Wilder Packing in La Junta, CO. She was a member of the Higbee Valley Ladies Club, the Does and American Legion Auxiliary. She is survived by; Daughter Lois Jackson, of Swink, CO; Son Riley, husband of Peggy Thomas, Jr., of Rocky Ford, CO; Son John, husband of Joni Thomas, Sr., of White Deer, TX; Step-Son Mark, husband of Pauline Wilder, of Las Alamos, NM; Step Daughter Kathy, wife of Roger Huddleston, of Castle Rock, CO. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Zella was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; 4 daughters: Marie Thomas, Ella Lowine Salzbrenner, Shirley Jean Crocker & Linda Carol Grant; 2 step-sons; Mike & Dick Wilder; 2 brothers; Lawrence & Leonard Ulery; 4 sisters; Lena Hayes, Pauline Donagan, Una & Gladys Stephens; grandson: Billie McIntosh. Funeral Services will be at Ford-Ustick Funeral Home, Rocky Ford, CO, at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 19th, with Pastor John Dell officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 - 3 PM at Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Valley View Cemetery in Rocky Ford, CO. Family request donations to Arkansas Valley Hospice 531 Lewis La Junta, CO 81050. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.