Dr Della Gelfand

Dr. Della Galinsky Gelfand, formerly of Sioux City, Iowa, died Monday, November 13, 2006 at the age of 101, at her home in Tucson, Arizona, following a long illness.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 1, at Congregation Beth Shalom, with Rabbi Guy Greene officiating. A gravesite service will follow at the Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent either online to www.meyerbroschapels.com or to Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, 3220 Stone Park Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51104.

Della was born July 8, 1905 in Sioux City, to Herman and Jeanette Galinsky. She graduated from Central High School, attended the University of Minnesota, and then transferred to the University of Wisconsin where she received her college degree. She pursued her medical education at the University of Iowa where she received her M.D. degree in 1931. She completed her internship and residency in New Jersey before returning to Sioux City to practice medicine.

In Sioux City, Della met again a former classmate from Central High School and now fellow physician, Ben B. Gelfand, who had returned to Sioux City from New York City. They married in 1941. They had four children and were members of Mt. Sinai Temple in Sioux City. In 1963 the family moved to Las Vegas, NV where Della assisted her husband in his practice. Following her husbands death in 1988, Della moved with her daughters to Tucson, AZ where she resided for the remainder of her life.

Della was a kind, generous, witty, loving and accomplished person. A loving wife and wonderful mother, she was an excellent cook, and enjoyed gardening into her late 90s. She was respected and loved not only by her family and friends, but also by the many patients she and her husband attended during their years of practice.

Della is survived by her four children: Brooks Gelfand of Elk Grove, CA; Sue Gelfand and Carole Gelfand of Tucson, AZ, and Charles Gelfand of Battle Ground, WA.