Della Freehling-Kallas

Della (Freehling) Kallas, age 74, passed away November 28, 2015 in Ormond, Florida where she had lived for the last year to be cared for by her daughter, Shannon and Shannon's family. Della was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Tom and Bertha "Kitty" Cole. She graduated from Coyle High School in 1959 and went on to attend college in Colorado where she met and married Irvin Graves, the father of her children. Years later Della married John Freehling in 1975 and they moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma in 1979 where she raised her family and also owned the Backwoods of Oklahoma Gift Store located in the Victor Building in Guthrie. Della also worked in the Insurance Industry as an Executive Assistant for many years. Della and John moved to Arkansas in the fall of 1996 to be near grandchildren. They had the added bonus of being within driving distance to seven different lakes for fishing; a favorite of her hobbies. They also loved birdwatching and traveling. After John's passing in 1999 Della met and later married George Kallas in June of 2004. She and George enjoyed entertaining in their home and loved social time spent with friends, boating, dancing and going out to dinner. Della dedicated much of her time throughout her life to her church, where she volunteered, taught Sunday school and also raised her voice within the choir. She will be remembered for her sweet and giving nature. She was generous and giving in a way we should all strive to be. Her faith, family and friends were her biggest priorities and joy but she also loved the beauty of nature and being outdoors. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, John and George and her brother, Richard "Pete" Cole. Della is survived by her daughter, Shannon Taylor and husband Brent; two sons, Derrick and Kerry Graves; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; three sisters, Madean Graves, Willene Dobson and Renna Jones as well as numerous extended family and friends.