Imagine a matriarch of a family that was so caring and thoughtful that she sent out greeting cards to all of her children, grand children, and great grand children every holiday. Our family cherished those cards, and will really miss not receiving them anymore. Delores 'Donni' Worthen passed away in Arvada, Colorado at age 95 on March 3rd, 2026.

She was born on January 30, 1931 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Her mother, Beulah Faye Elliott, was a huge part of her life and hand made a lot of clothes for her and Donni's children. Later on, when she became Grandma Donni and Great Grandma Donni, the grandkids and great grandkids wore these special outfits as well, which tickled her to death.

She was a book keeper, a radio host with her husband John, and an apartment manager over the years. The management position enabled Donni and John to move all around the country, and they ended up living in over 30 places with one another. They lived in places like Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, California, and Hawaii. When she was managing different apartments, the grand kids would love to come see her, swim in the pools, play billiards, and drink as much of her DrPeppers as they possibly could. The kids and grand kids loved hearing all the old stories she had to tell over the fabulous food she would prepare for them.

Donni met the love of her life, John Worthen, in 1980, and were married together for 44 amazing years. Donni and John met when Donni was running the talk show and then John was offered the co-host slot with her. They worked together at KGLC radio station for 3 years and started living together after that. Then in January of 1982, they got married at the house that they were living at in Arvada, Colorado. They loved traveling so much, they decided to buy an RV and traveled all up and down the west coast. That got them interested in traveling and then they moved around managing different apartment complexes together.

Donni has 4 children that truly meant the world to her. Her 3 sons are Larry Thompson, David Thompson, and Keith Thompson. Her one and only daughter is Sheri Thompson.

Though Donni loved corresponding with friends and family, traveling, and watching her favorite TV shows and movies with her husband, her favorite role was that of a grand parent. Her grand children Jenny, Matt, Jeremy, Julian, Jana, Jeff, Jessie, Amber, Shane, and Shiloh were the apples of her eye. She treasured time with her grandkids and loved being their 'Grandma Donni', never failing to send holiday cards and call them regularly and get everyone together for family reunions. These festivities continued as the family kept growing, and she had 15 great grandkids when she died.

Grandma has kept up with a lot of friends from school over the years, and they would regularly call each other.

Donni was a bookkeeper with Montgomery Ward. She was also a welcome hostess for the city of Miami, Oklahoma and she would greet new people that moved to their town. Later on, she worked at the KGLC radio station and she did sales for commercials, before she moved into the talk show slot. Her last career was apartment management for a total of 25 years.

Her favorite hobbies included cooking, taking care of plants, and sewing.

Donni was preceded in death by her mother Beulah Faye Elliott, her brother Leo 'Buck' Elliott, and her grandson Shane Thompson. She is survived by her husband John, her 4 kids, 9 grandkids, and 15 great grandkids.

Delores Worthen will always be remembered for her wonderful cooking, her greeting cards, and her moving all around to follow grandkids and finding jobs close to family. We'll always imagine getting greeting cards from her on holidays. She always gave a dollar per year for birthdays. We couldn't have asked for a better wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and we will miss her everyday. Her memory will live in all the hearts of those that knew her.

Her memorial service will be on July 25, 2026 at Fairview Cemetery in Niotaze, Kansas.

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