1946
Rilla
2015
Rilla Sanchez-Rivera
December 6, 1946 — September 15, 2015
A memorial service for Rilla M. Sanchez-Rivera will be held at 2:30 PM on Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Bonnerup Funeral Chapel, Albert Lea. The Reverend Don Preston will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Rilla passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea. She was 68 years old.
Rilla Marlene (O'Daffer) was born on December 6, 1946 to Wayne and Lucille (Niehaus) O'Daffer in Albert Lea. She was a resident of Albert Lea her entire life. She attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1965. She continued her schooling to become a beautician, later using that talent to cut hair for her friends and family. She was employed as a CNA at St. John's Lutheran Home, and worked there for 33 years until her retirement.
In her free time, Rilla enjoyed taking care of her yard and plants, enjoying time with her cat, Fanny Mae, and Gaylan's dog, Haus, who would help her pick dandelions. She liked to crochet, macramé, and read. Rilla enjoyed every moment spent with her family, often singing and dancing with her grandchildren. She was a very welcoming person who always greeted people with a hug and a smile. Later in life, she was blessed to be reconnected with her daughter, Gretchen, who had been given up for adoption when Rilla was a young adult. This re-established connection was life changing for the entire family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and a grandson, Steven Nielson; and a nephew, Christian Hanson.
Rilla is survived by her children, Gretchen Phillips, of Hammond, WI, Kimberly (James) Erickson, of Northwood, IA, and Gaylan Wachlin, of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Crystal, J.W., Samantha, Annerena, Jeremiah, McKayla, Kylie, and Kaylee; great-granddaughter, Emily; and a brother, Lynn (Ramona Richter) O'Daffer and his children Brian (Charlene) O'Daffer and their children; and Annete (Chris) Hanson and their child.
Blessed be her memory!
Rilla passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea. She was 68 years old.
Rilla Marlene (O'Daffer) was born on December 6, 1946 to Wayne and Lucille (Niehaus) O'Daffer in Albert Lea. She was a resident of Albert Lea her entire life. She attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1965. She continued her schooling to become a beautician, later using that talent to cut hair for her friends and family. She was employed as a CNA at St. John's Lutheran Home, and worked there for 33 years until her retirement.
In her free time, Rilla enjoyed taking care of her yard and plants, enjoying time with her cat, Fanny Mae, and Gaylan's dog, Haus, who would help her pick dandelions. She liked to crochet, macramé, and read. Rilla enjoyed every moment spent with her family, often singing and dancing with her grandchildren. She was a very welcoming person who always greeted people with a hug and a smile. Later in life, she was blessed to be reconnected with her daughter, Gretchen, who had been given up for adoption when Rilla was a young adult. This re-established connection was life changing for the entire family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and a grandson, Steven Nielson; and a nephew, Christian Hanson.
Rilla is survived by her children, Gretchen Phillips, of Hammond, WI, Kimberly (James) Erickson, of Northwood, IA, and Gaylan Wachlin, of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Crystal, J.W., Samantha, Annerena, Jeremiah, McKayla, Kylie, and Kaylee; great-granddaughter, Emily; and a brother, Lynn (Ramona Richter) O'Daffer and his children Brian (Charlene) O'Daffer and their children; and Annete (Chris) Hanson and their child.
Blessed be her memory!
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