Darlene F. Willard

Darlene F. Willard, age 71, of Washington, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. She was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota on July 18, 1950, to Lawrence and Lois Olson (nee Kittock).

Darlene was a highly intelligent, glass ceiling breaking, adventurous woman who's vibrant personality lit up every environment she deemed worthy of her presence. She had open-minded, broad tastes which is an ideal she encouraged in her children & grandchildren.

Darlene loved to travel & spent much of her retirement traveling across the country in an RV. Her zest for life was palpable & her wanderlust was rivaled only by her love of reading. Those who knew her rarely saw her without a book. Reading very well may have been the source of her love for adventure.
Darlene is survived by her children, William A. Wheat, Bethany A. (Reinaldo) Herrera, and Heather D. Wheat; her grandchildren, William A. Wheat III, Alyssia Wheat, Melissa Wheat, Katherine Herrera, Austin Herrera, Noah Herrera, Dominic Herrera, and Destin Jones; her great-grandson, Lukas Herrera; and her siblings, Dale Olson, Donna Hiller, Wayne Olson, Marvin Olson, Marie Plamann, and Daryl Olson. She will be dearly missed by many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence, and Lois Olson.

Visitation will take place from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm with a service to follow at 5:00 pm, both on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, West County Chapel, 2211 Clarkson Rd, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017.

Memorial contributions in Darlene's name may be made out to Spina Bifida - St. Louis online at: https://www.sbstl.org/

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