Delores Margaret Pontin, age 96, entered into rest on June 1, 2022. She was born on January 4, 1926 to Fred and Irma Helm in Unadilla, Nebraska where they lived for twenty three years on their family farm. Shortly after earning her business degree, she took off with her girlfriend on a road trip that landed her in Yakima, WA. Delores met Nesto Saint Pontin on a blind date in January of 1950 and they were married 7 months later on August 20th. In 1954, they made their home in Prosser, WA where they raised turkeys and grew grapes, apples, sugar beets and potatoes. They were happily married for 69 years when Nesto passed away in 2019.
Delores was a homemaker and helped with all aspects of the family farm and Pontin Del Roza Winery. She loved to pour wine not only at home but at the many wine events she and Nesto would travel to. She loved any car ride, especially one with no particular destination. Her passion was raising her children and sharing her faith in Jehovah God and Jesus Christ with others. She didn’t know a single stranger. Delores was a fabulous cook and her friends and family especially enjoyed her cookies and her famous cinnamon bread. Delores was a member of Prosser Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Prosser Senior Center. She spent many years attending curves and was involved in the Senior Chore Service for 25 years.
Delores is survived by her sister, Betty Gigante; daughters, Colleen Little (Mike) and Diane Gessner (John); daughter-in-law, Shelly (Pontin) Sullivan. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren; Michael Pontin (Chenea), Heather Noyola (Noel), John Risk, Skyler Risk (Kristen), Laura Mills (Jeremy), Steven Little (Linda), Jarrod Miller (Marissa), Jessica Jackman, and Jason Gessner (Kati); and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Irma Helm; husband, Nesto Pontin; sons, Larry and Scott Pontin; and sister, Janis Kohl.
Visitation will be at the Prosser Funeral home on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at the Prosser Cemetery. Please join us for a reception and celebration of Delores’ life following the service at the Senior Center from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, in care of the Prosser Senior Center.
A special thank you to Cherry Creek Adult Family Home in Kennewick for taking such wonderful care of our beloved Delores.