Darla Jean Sauer, age 65, died peacefully in the arms of her husband, and surrounded by family, on Oct. 10, 2021, at their home in McCleary, Washington after a courageous battle with cancer.

Darla was born on June 1, 1956, to Charles “Lester” and Marilyn Willis, at Moses Lake, Washington, where her father was serving in the Air Force. They later moved back to the family farm in Brady, Washington where Darla grew up milking cows and mucking barns. Darla graduated from Montesano High School in 1974. Later that year Darla wed Roger Sauer in Montesano. They lived in Hoquiam for a short time, finally settling down in Montesano, where they raised their four children. Darla worked as an administrative assistant to the pastor at Montesano Church of God and Montesano Health and Rehab. She retired in 2012.

Darla’s first love was family. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Roger, four children: Joshua, Brandon, Tyler and Kelsie; 16 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Darla is also survived by one sister, Debi Brogan and two brothers, Steven and Larry Willis.

Her days and weeks were filled with making birthday cakes, attending sporting and music events and just hanging out with her grandchildren.

Besides family Darla had a love of sewing. She was an avid quilter. Whenever there was a new birth she heard about, out would come the fabric, needles and thread and, like magic, a quilt was created.

Darla got great joy from helping others. This began in the mid ’80s when she organized an auction to raise money for a handicap equipped van. That event ignited a fire in her that just keep building with each new endeavor. She was very involved with the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and Helping Hands.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The American Cancer Society.