Willa Jean (Dexter) DEIMEL

DEIMEL, DEXTER, GARCIA, DANET, EASTMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:41

March 6, 1928 ---- March 2, 2006

Willa Jean Deimel, 77, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, March 2, 2006 with her loving husband, Ed, by her side. She is also survived by her daughter, Nara Garcia; a grandson, K.C. Garcia, twin granddaughters, Mariah and Jasmine; a sister, Helen Danet of Silver City; and many nieces and nephews all over the United States.

Willa Jean was born March 6, 1928 in Clarion, Iowa. She was the youngest child of William and Mayme Dexter. She attended and graduated from Dows High School in Iowa in 1945. Willa Jean worked in the Clarion area for a number of years in the culinary business. She was a trendsetter in food design and also interior decorating. Her family members remember the bright red paint that donned the walls of her kitchen at home. Her warm smile, talented cooking skills and organized manner lead her to open a restaurant. "The Park Lunch" was truly a successful venture, as evidenced the the long lines waiting to get in at lunch time to eat her homemade delicacies. She sold her business in 1962 and traveled the United States, settling back in Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1970. There she met her future husband, Edgar Deimel. They moved to Albuquerque and were married March 1, 1973. They have resided in Albuquerque for the past 33 years.

Willa Jean was a gracious hostess and loved cooking for her family and friends. She was a music lover, especially Rockabilly and country western. Many times she would "two step" around the house as she did her daily activities. Willa Jean had a soft spot in her heart for her 4 legged friends also. She and her husband, Ed could be seen daily walking their dog, "Blondie". She will be remembered as a good wife, mother and grandma. She was generous with her time and her resources for family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mayme, her brother, Harold Dexter and sister, Ruth Eastman. Willa Jean is loved and will be sorely missed. Private memorial services for the family are pending.

March 7, 2006
Albuquerque Journal --- New Mexico