Delena Lucille Hoffman Messick of Ridgecrest Ca, went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 10th, 2022, at 100 years old.
Delena was born to Henry Hoffman and Pearl Irene Hageman Hoffman on December 4, 1922, in Dodge City, Kansas. She was a beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend.
Delena was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years O.D. Messick, her Sister Mae Florence, Brother Albert Hoffman, Sister Neva Carson, and Brother Roland “Rollie” Hoffman. She is survived by Daughters Deanna Rytter of Rapid City. SD, Audrey Gresham of Ridgecrest Ca, has six grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Delena and OD both attended school in Farley a small town in northeast New Mexico. They were married on April 27th, 1940, and shortly afterward moved to California. After the attack on Pearl Harbor OD went to Hawaii to work on the ships and shipyards and Delena stayed in San Francisco. When OD returned to the States he was drafted into the Army and served in Po Valley, Italy. Delena moved back to New Mexico while OD was overseas. After WWII they settled in California and that is where they stayed spending 52 years in Bakersfield, Ca. Delena retired from the state in 1978. She and OD enjoyed three trips to Europe and many trips with their travel trailer during their retirement. In 2002, they moved to Ridgecrest, Ca, to be near their daughter Audrey and son-in-law Danny.
There will be a 10 am Chapel and Graveside service at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd, Bakersfield CA Jan. 6. If you wish, please have flowers delivered to Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.
The family wishes a special Thank You to the staff at Desert Haven Memory Care for their compassion and care of Delena during her final days.
Delena has left this Earth but will never leave our Hearts.