In the early hours of April 2 Dell passed away at Big Sky senior living facility in Butte after a year- long battle with cancer. Dell was 88 years old.
Dell was born in Hoboken New Jersey on July 7, 1936, the first child of three born to Adelaide (Dell) Bradford. Her family moved to Butte, Montana where she resided for the remainder of her life, wedding her husband, Richard in 1957, and becoming the mother of two children, Steven Edward and Karen Lynn.
In addition to being a loving mother, Dell worked as both a professional singer and in retail sales, including several years at Hennessy’s Department Store in uptown Butte. She developed many friendships in the Butte area, some friends continuing to visit and help her into her later years when she was less able to get out to visit others.
At home Dell loved playing her piano, cooking, and doing advanced sewing and embroidery projects. She enjoyed cooking and delivering sweet treats to neighbors, friends and the staff at the veteran’s home in Butte. The pastime that Dell spent the most time on was maintaining a large beautiful yard. When weather allowed she would spend many hours outside by herself or with visitors.
Dell was a longtime viewer of British dramas, classical music, history and science documentaries and supported public broadcasting for many years.
Dell was preceded in death by her brother John in 2003, husband Richard in 2023 and her daughter Karen in 2024.
Dell is survived by her son, Steven (Maggie), and sister Sandy Bohlen (Martin). She will also be missed by nieces Elizabeth, Rachel, and Bethany, her grandchildren Steven Wirth Jr and Rebecca Patel, as well as close friends Dawn Brasmer, Clint Root, Shu-Ming Huang, Suki Bishop and the Loewen family.
In accordance with Dell’s wishes there will be no funeral ceremony, but her ashes will be laid to rest at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Butte alongside her husband, Richard’s ashes.
Memorial donations should be made to Montana PBS.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Dell and her family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Dell.
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Eileen Eamon says
My sisters and I went to the Christian Science church for many years as children. We will always remember her beautiful voice and her kind personality. She also sang at our mother’s funeral. Rest in Peace, Dell. The Sundberg girls, Eileen, Helen, Christine and Margie.
Denise says
My Mom worked with Dell at Hennessy’s and she was a lovely lady and they were good friends. Rest in Peace
Denise
Heather VanLeuven says
Richard and Dell were the best people I knew. When I was having issues they took me and my daughter in for a few months until I could get back on my feet. Richard taught me how to work on my car and Dell would sing around the house taught me how to embroidery. They were so good to my daughter They will be missed