Lorella Gadash

Lorella Lucille Gadash

A memorial service for longtime Lamar resident Lorella Gadash will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at the Peacock Family Chapel with Ed Briggs officiating. A private family inurnment will follow at the Fairmount Cemetery.

On Sunday, July 16, 2023, Lorella Lucille Gadash passed away peacefully at home with family by her side at the age of 93 years, 8 months and 15 days. Lorella was born on November 1, 1929, 1 mile west of Wiley, Colorado, to Clarence Arthur “Kelly” and Merle Gertrude (Brown) Hays. She grew up on a farm near Wiley where she learned how to cook, sew, work hard, and care for her family. She attended Wiley schools from grade school through high school, graduating with the class of 1947. After high school she married Donald L. Mick. To this union was born 2 sons, Stanley Layne and Loran Jay, and 3 daughters, Keo Elaine, Ava Lynn and Lora Lee. Lorella became a wonderful homemaker and mother, guiding, encouraging and supporting her children in many activities including FFA, 4H, school plays, hunting trips and various sports. She was especially instrumental in developing their musical abilities, of which she was most proud, which included choir and other singing groups, many band concerts and trips, and piano contests and recitals. She taught all her children and many grandchildren to cook and sew, including “fancywork” embroidery and crocheting.

Lorella was never afraid of hard work. When time away from her children allowed, she worked at several different places including the Evans turkey farm, 7-11 convenience store, JC Penney, the LCC cafeteria and was also often involved in cleaning and fixing up rental properties owned by her dad. In 1973 she married Paul Gadash, where she again demonstrated her amazing work ethic. She joined Paul in a successful upholstering business and helped in much of his masonry work, which included a complete renovation of the Davies Hotel building, the Golden Arrow Motel and the Holiday Motel in Lamar. She enjoyed traveling to Dauphin Island for deep sea fishing, horse and dog races, quilting and embroidery work, but the most favorite thing for “Grandma Rella” was watching her many grandchildren in their various sports and activities.

Anyone and everyone was always welcome at Lorella’s house, and somehow no matter when or who stopped in, she always had food and a smile for everyone. She lived for her children and grandchildren and was able to see almost all of them in her last days here on earth. Even though the physical pain from years of hard work had taken over, she was still interested in what everyone was doing and was very happy with the legacy she would be leaving. She always thought her life was happy and so it was.

Lorella is preceded in death by her husband Paul Gadash, her parents Kelly and Merle Hays, son-in-law Eric Hawkins, grandson Colby Mick, and brothers Wayne Hays and Ray Hays. She is survived by her children Stanley (Patty) Mick of Stockton, MO, Loran Mick of Wiley, CO, Keo (Rod) Thompson of Holly, CO, Ava (Scott) Bair of Lamar, CO, and Lora Hawkins of Elizabeth, CO, grandchildren Susan (Edward) Briggs, Destry Mick, Shechele (JJ) Rosener, Chelsea (Kevin) Davis, Courtney (Mark) Grasmick, Laith (Jill) Thompson, Brae (Robert) Medina, Alison (Kyle) Self, Ryan Bair, Chase (Angela) Bair, Corey (Katie) Bair, Megan Hawkins, Hillary Hawkins, Shelby Hawkins, and Garett Hawkins. She is also survived by twenty-four great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family and a host of friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar Area Hospice or the Lamar Community College Foundation either direct or in care of the funeral home office.