Hardtner-Della May McCracken Trotter, 100, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital. Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Hardtner with Pastor Dwain Richert, Community Bible Fellowship Church, Medicine Lodge, officiating. Burial will follow in the Hardtner-Elwood Cemetery. Viewing will be Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Della was born on August 16, 1915 to William Lee and Alice McCracken. She attended school and graduated from Medicine Lodge High School, obtaining a teaching certification. She taught school in a one room school house northwest of Hardtner. On May 31, 1935 she married Earl Trotter. Della and Earl ranched and farmed northwest of Hardtner. In 1954 she became the head cook at the Hardtner Public School. She fed students for 27 years. Being an avid reader she became the librarian at the Hardtner Public Library. After retiring from the library she enjoyed being a homemaker and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by husband, Earl; her parents; four brothers: Elmer, Roy Charles and John; three sisters: Mildred Marian, Beth May and Lenora (Babe) Lawson and one great grandson, Matthew Strain.
She is survived by two children, Janet Smith and husband, Bill of Hardtner, Ethan Trotter and wife, Janice of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Donna Strain, LeeAnne Osgood, Laura Fails, Brian Trotter and Ashlee Trotter; eight great grandchildren, Jessica Strain, Spencer Osgood, Abbigail Osgood, Samuel Fails, Josephine Fails, Sadie Trotter, Preston Trotter and Rylee Trotter; one great-great grandchild, Olivia Strain; nieces; nephews and a host of friends.
Memorials may be made to Bill and Janet's Nature Museum or the Hardtner Public Library through the funeral home.