Darda Jean Burkhart

We lost our beloved Mother Darda Jean Burkhart, but just Mom to us on the evening of Good Friday, April 7, just weeks shy of her 93rd birthday. Darda Jean (Billester) Burkhart (Nee Wills) was born May 4, 1930 in Auburn, WA, to Percy and Margarette Wills.    

She is survived by her three sons Steve, Dale and John, and by an extended family of spouses, four grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, every one of whom she knew and loved greatly.

Though she could not be physically very active in later years, she was mentally acute and just a month before her passing had finished writing and publishing her second book. Despite her health issues, she was able to live alone in her own home until March 27th when she went to the hospital. She fought hard for 11 days until her departure on Good Friday. Though it was sudden, it was sadly not unexpected by that time.

Our mother had a strong, unwavering faith in God that came from being born into, and marrying into, dedicated missionary families. Much of that background and its fruit is illustrated in her two books. Mom was actively in contact with her family and a large circle of friends. In her time on Earth she touched and impacted many lives, including and especially ours. She was determined to continue and maintain our strong and exceptional family legacy.

She was predeceased by her mother, Margarette Wills, 1972; her father Percy Wills,  1990; her brother Frank Wills. 1994; her first husband Robert M. Billester, 1975; and her second husband, Dick Burkhart, 2006.

Goodbye, Mom. We love you always and will forever miss your steady hand. 

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