Adela “Della” Morris, 93, Owatonna
Adela “Della” Morris was born on Dec. 23, 1932, in San Antonio, Texas, to Maria Alcoser Morales and Antonio Morales. Throughout her life, Della embodied strength, resilience, and devotion to family and friends.
On Jan. 21, 1956, Adela married Donald Morris in Waterville. Together they shared a loving marriage and were blessed with one daughter, Vicky Marie Morris.
In 2023, Della returned to Minnesota, moving to Brooks Ecumen and Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna. She was proud to be back, as she always considered Blooming Prairie, her true home.
Della began working at a young age, rolling cigars at the Finck Cigar Factory in San Antonio at just 13 years old. Her family were agricultural workers throughout the Midwest, eventually resettling in Blooming Prairie. Over the years, Della worked for the Myers and Harms families in Blooming Prairie, as well as for Herter’s and E. F. Johnson in Waseca, Minnesota. She and Don later moved to Montana before settling in Washington state, where Della worked for ELDEC Aerospace Corporation in Lynnwood and later served as a caregiver for the State of Washington in Seattle. She retired at the remarkable age of 87.
Della was best known as a feisty, caring, and devoted person who was always there to help others. She loved reminiscing about her family and took great pride in her heritage. In her youth, she was crowned Miss Mexican Independence Day in Hollandale and enjoyed dancing at Zeiners Ballroom in Bixby. She cherished camping and traveling across the United States with Don, followed auto racing and was an avid football fan of both the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings.
Della is survived by her brothers, Gregorio (Lorraine) Morales of Rochester, and Martin (Karen) Morales of Burnsville, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Morris; her daughter, Vicky Marie Morris; her parents, Antonio Morales and Maria Alcoser Morales; her brothers, Elutherio, Antonio, Jose, Theodro, and Jesus Morales; and her sisters, Anita Rios, Jesusita Clancy, and Socorro Morales.
Della will be remembered for her strength, warmth, and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.
Friends may greet the family from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at the Brick-Meger Funeral Home. Memorial service will start at 3 p.m.