Darlene Wilson Bess

Aug 27, 1938 -

Feb 13, 2023

Darlene Wilson Bess of Palmer, Alaska, passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Darlene was born on Aug. 27, 1938, to John W. Wilson Sr. and Esther Allen Wilson in Cottage Grove, Ore. She grew up loving to play in the woods of Cottage Grove and began a life long love of the outdoors. She began her college education at Linfield College where she majored in biology. At Linfield, Darlene met her first husband, James L. Pigg, with whom she shared her two wonderful children, Valerie and Marty. In 1980, Darlene married Howard Bess and they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where they began a new adventure together.

Darlene received her Bachelor of Arts in social work at University of Alaska Anchorage. She became an administrator in long term care for the elderly. Her talent and creativity showed through in everything she did, including her cooking, flower arrangement, quilting, cross-stitch and sewing projects. Her family was the most important thing in the world to her. During 43 years of marriage to Howard they welcomed 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Howard Bess; brother, John; sister, Betty; daughter, Valerie Rozzi (John); son, Marty Pigg (Kim); stepson, Philip Bess; stepdaughter, Jill Neimeyer (Joel); stepdaughter, Kay Bess (Tim); and grandchildren, Cedar Rabun, Summer Kathol, Zoe Viola, Brook Pigg, Raleigh Pigg, Jennifer Bess, Peter Bess, Alexander Bess, Kevin Neimeyer, Katie Neimeyer and Esther Klassen.

A Memorial Service will be held at the United Protestant Church, 713 South Denali Street in Palmer, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 2 p.m. The family requests any donations be made to Ancora Home Health and Hospice in Wasilla, Alaska, 907-561-9240; or the American Parkinson's Association, https://www.apdaparkinson.org/donate/.