Darla Lee (Higgs) Wyeno

Darla Lee (Higgs) Wyeno, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend joined our Creator in Heaven on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the age of 84.

Born November 15, 1939 in Rocky Ford, Colorado to Willard Carl Higgs and Frances “Shanny” Lou Anna (Coats) Higgs, Darla was the eldest of seven children. Darla graduated from Crowley High School in 1957.

Darla was married to Harry Akira Wyeno on April 5, 1958. Together they had two children, Curtis Duane Wyeno and Leslie Lyn (Wyeno) Tamura. Darla spent many years as a homemaker and farmwife, supporting her husband, raising her family, and serving her community. The Wyeno family farm, where Harry and Darla resided, was the cornerstone of family gatherings for many decades; together they welcomed large family gatherings, highlighting their love for God and family above all else, and passing this legacy on to future generations.

One of Darla’s passions was her work as a historian and curator, at the Crowley County Heritage Center & Museum. She served as Crowley town clerk and president of the Crowley County Heritage Society for many years, where she led the transformation of the Crowley School into a historical landmark, serving as a museum and event venue for the community. Darla curated the museum, sourcing and archiving several historical documents and artifacts; and she assisted in authoring the Crowley County Centennial, a historical biography of the county. Darla was proud of her community and wanted to ensure its people and their stories lived on for future generations.

Darla, alongside her husband Harry, were active members of their community and were recognized for their notable service contributions throughout their lives. As beloved Sunday school teacher and youth choir director, Darla spent many years teaching children at the Crowley Community Baptist Church. Together, Darla and Harry were honored as the 2005 Citizens of the Year in Crowley County; and honored as the Grand Marshalls of Crowley County Days in 2014.

Darla and Harry moved to Denver, CO in 2017 to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; where they continued to wholeheartedly love and support their family. Darla enjoyed her time spent in Denver, cultivating friendships with her neighbors. She was active in her community, participating in neighborhood socials and Bible studies. Darla also enjoyed reading, scrapbooking, riding her bicycle and playing card games.

Darla is survived by sisters Lou Ann Summers and her husband Merle, Tracie Lamberson and her husband Garry; brother-in-law Mark Tully; sister-in-law Teri Higgs; son Curtis Wyeno and his wife Karin; daughter Leslie Tamura; grandson Jase Wyeno and his wife Emilie; granddaughters Brittany Wyeno, Abby Terry and her husband Tim, Sarah Tamura and her husband Andy Nye, Hannah Tamura and her fiancé Jonathan Bullman; great-grandsons Callen Terry and Cade Terry; step grandchildren Sarah Jeffers (James), Jesse Gwinn (Karlee), Annie Tonkinson (Jesse), and Lauren Lunt; step great-grandchildren Arlan Jeffers, Jolie Jeffers, Magnolia Tonkinson and Theodore Tonkinson; and several others who loved her dearly including brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and numerous nephews and nieces. 

Darla was preceded in death by her father and mother, Willard and Frances Higgs; her husband, Harry Wyeno; brothers Curtis Higgs, Carl Higgs, and David Higgs; sister Janice Tully; sister-in-law Sue Higgs (Carl); and daughter-in-law Michelle Wyeno (Curtis).

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the Crowley Community Baptist Church in Crowley, Colorado at 11:00am. Memorial contributions can be given to the Crowley County Heritage Center & Museum; PO Box 24, Crowley, CO 81033.