Obituary for Delphine Okle Mead (Craig)
Long time resident of Alamosa, Delphine Okle Mead passed away on August 5th, 2023 at the age of 101 and 8 months. Delphine was born in Hotchkiss, Colorado December 7th,1921 along with her twin sister Dahlgren. They were raised in Lazear, Colorado- 5 miles from Hotchkiss. They went 8 years to school in Lazear then bussed to high school in Hotchkiss.
After graduating from high school, they worked in the hospital there under a government plan, NYA, for youth. Delphine liked it but Dahlgren didn't. After 2 or 3 years the hospital closed, as the doctor moved to Grand Junction 60 miles away.
Dahlgren got a job in the bank in Hotchkiss and Delphine started teaching school, 4th and 5th grades, without any college training. Nine years later she received her college degree from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado while concurrently teaching- all in Delta County. Upon her graduation, she took the State Board Test.
In 1954, she came to the San Luis Valley, where she was hired to teach 5th grade in Center, Colorado. Delphine then met George Mead, the band director in Del Norte, and it was love at first sight. They married that summer and moved to Kirtland, New Mexico where they both taught school.
Five years later they moved back to Alamosa and started a business- Mead Music. The store was a one stop place for anything musical. From selling band instruments, accessories, pianos, organs, TVs, records and 45’s, sheet music and band instrument books. George also repaired band instruments at night and on Sundays. They served 12 bands in the San Luis Valley. Mead Music was active for 36 years 1961 to 1997. Delphine was doing the books, ordering inventory, everything but the band instruments, maybe she played second fiddle!
They retired and moved to Artesia, New Mexico but 18 months later they moved back home to Alamosa where they enjoyed living in their home east of Alamosa until George's death in 2012. Delphine moved to The Bridge and then to The Legacy in Monte Vista where she stayed active playing bingo, putting together puzzles, visiting with her many friends and being a grandma to many who considered her family. Her only surviving member is a nephew, the son of her twin sister - Bob Andrews currently of Alamosa.
Preceding her in death were her husband George, her parents, an older sister Maxine and her twin sister Dahlgren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Bridge in Alamosa, The Legacy in Monte Vista or a charity of your choice.
Delphine said she was held together the last 11 years by Lawrence and Janell Martin Family, Jane Martin, Ed and Lois Booth Family, Jim Relyea family, The Bridge staff and residents, The Legacy staff and residents, and the Zimmerman family along with numerous former students and distant cousins on George’s side, who stopped by for visits or outings. She was loved by so many! Her sharp mind and generous hugs, along with her genuine “I Love You’s” will be missed by all.
Cremation was chosen and Graveside Services will be held August 18th, 2023 at 10AM at the Alamosa Cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online remarks, tributes and condolences for Delphine’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com
After graduating from high school, they worked in the hospital there under a government plan, NYA, for youth. Delphine liked it but Dahlgren didn't. After 2 or 3 years the hospital closed, as the doctor moved to Grand Junction 60 miles away.
Dahlgren got a job in the bank in Hotchkiss and Delphine started teaching school, 4th and 5th grades, without any college training. Nine years later she received her college degree from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado while concurrently teaching- all in Delta County. Upon her graduation, she took the State Board Test.
In 1954, she came to the San Luis Valley, where she was hired to teach 5th grade in Center, Colorado. Delphine then met George Mead, the band director in Del Norte, and it was love at first sight. They married that summer and moved to Kirtland, New Mexico where they both taught school.
Five years later they moved back to Alamosa and started a business- Mead Music. The store was a one stop place for anything musical. From selling band instruments, accessories, pianos, organs, TVs, records and 45’s, sheet music and band instrument books. George also repaired band instruments at night and on Sundays. They served 12 bands in the San Luis Valley. Mead Music was active for 36 years 1961 to 1997. Delphine was doing the books, ordering inventory, everything but the band instruments, maybe she played second fiddle!
They retired and moved to Artesia, New Mexico but 18 months later they moved back home to Alamosa where they enjoyed living in their home east of Alamosa until George's death in 2012. Delphine moved to The Bridge and then to The Legacy in Monte Vista where she stayed active playing bingo, putting together puzzles, visiting with her many friends and being a grandma to many who considered her family. Her only surviving member is a nephew, the son of her twin sister - Bob Andrews currently of Alamosa.
Preceding her in death were her husband George, her parents, an older sister Maxine and her twin sister Dahlgren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Bridge in Alamosa, The Legacy in Monte Vista or a charity of your choice.
Delphine said she was held together the last 11 years by Lawrence and Janell Martin Family, Jane Martin, Ed and Lois Booth Family, Jim Relyea family, The Bridge staff and residents, The Legacy staff and residents, and the Zimmerman family along with numerous former students and distant cousins on George’s side, who stopped by for visits or outings. She was loved by so many! Her sharp mind and generous hugs, along with her genuine “I Love You’s” will be missed by all.
Cremation was chosen and Graveside Services will be held August 18th, 2023 at 10AM at the Alamosa Cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online remarks, tributes and condolences for Delphine’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com