Delores was the first of eight children born to Jose and Rita Sandoval (Dominguez). She spent the beginning of her childhood in rural Colorado primarily living in Greeley on a farm with her large family. After her parents divorced, she and her siblings moved to Denver with their mother, Rita. There, they lived close to her grandparents, Basilio, and Isadora Dominguez.
Delores attended North High School and was forced to drop out & contribute to the care of her siblings.
Delores met her future husband, Ernest John Ward, through her friend and his cousin, Gerri Ortiz Truskett. They married on January 18, 1962. Dee & Ernie (as most knew them) built their life and family in Denver. Delores genuinely enjoyed raising their three children. She developed a passion for her children’s activities and was deeply involved in everything they were.
. In 1979, Dee & Ernie divorced. Delores and her four children moved to Sidney Nebraska where she was reunited with her mother and her sisters Lorraine, Stella and Debbie. In Sidney, her education became a priority. She decided to finish her education and graduated high school with her eldest son Ernie in 1981. She began working for Cabela’s Distribution Center, working there for 21 years, until her first retirement.
Retirement, not keeping her busy enough led to jobs at a nursing home and Sapp Bro’s. However, Cabelas is where she wanted to be and returned to their retail store in 2002. In 2013, Delores moved to Brighton, Colorado to be near her son Joe, and her daughter Dana and their families. There she continued to work for Cabela’s retail in Thornton.
Upon her diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s, she officially retired in January 2015. She traveled frequently between Brighton and Blue Springs, Missouri to spend time with all of her children. In late 2015, she moved to Blue Springs, Missouri full time to be with her daughter, Deneane and her family. She enjoyed shopping, traveling to see her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would never miss out on a game or any event they were involved in. Everyone who spent any amount of time with her knew that. She loved visiting all of her extended family.
She was a huge fan of the Denver Nuggets and every team Alan Iverson played for. She also became a Knicks fan while following one of her favorites, Carmelo Anthony. She loved reading her bible, drinking Coca Cola, munching on Lays chips and had the sweetest tooth around.

Preceded by:
Son: Ernest John Ward
Mother: Rita Sandoval
Baby brother: Robert Sandoval
Granddaughter: Ashley Marie Ward
Nieces:: Jackie Marie Garcia and Leonette Marie Virgil

Survived by:
Children: Deneane Hyde (Steve), Joseph Ward, Dana Leschnik (Andrew)
Grandchildren: Amy, Alecia, Andrea, Carlos, Diandra, Joshua, Audrey, Jordan, Darrion, Derrick, Bralynn, Drew, Dayso, Declyn and HayLee
Great-Grandchildren: Miguel, Luis, Analicia, Alex, Adrian, Anthony, Aaliyah, Andre, Ayvah , Ilah, Isaac, Nathan, Lily, Dammien , Drayton and Delilah
Aunt: Daisy Rodarte (Alex)
Siblings: Stella Virgil (Rudy), Rudy Sandoval (Rose), Lorraine Knapp (Ron), Joe Sandoval (Denice). Judy Gonzales (Eddie, Deborah Virgil (Daniel)
Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews

Gehrig-Stitt Funeral Chapel
March 2019