Willa Dean Everts, age 93, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

Willa was born on October 3, 1932, in Ballard MO to Herbert Hadley and Mildred Etta (Spears) Herrmann. Willa Dean was the oldest of three children. She attended elementary school at the Harmony one room school and then attended school at Ballard where she graduated in May of 1949. After graduating she attended 2 years of college in Warrensburg, MO, receiving her teaching certificate. While there, she played on the girls' basketball team. After college she taught school for one year at Passaic, MO.

In August 1951, Willa Dean was united in marriage to Dale Everts. They lived in Butler for a short while before moving to Knob Noster. This is where they made their permanent home. Dale became a farmer, so Willa Dean began another chapter in her life being his farming partner. Willa Dean was an avid Kansas City Royals fan. She rarely missed watching them on TV. She also enjoyed watching the college basketball games. She loved to read and work word puzzles. You would find her every morning reading her Daily Devotion and her Bible before breakfast. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her; a wonderful, devoted wife, and an exceptionally loving mother and grandmother. She was very caring and a kind lady that will be greatly missed.

Willa Dean is survived by her daughters; Joyce Cote and Nancy McKeehan, her sons; Alan Everts and Bill (Beth) Everts, her daughter-in-law; Pam Everts, her sister; Marlyn Strope, sisters-in-law; Susan Harris and Jean Everts; 12 grandchildren; Mandy Burdick, Michael (Jennifer) Cote, Nick Everts, Travis (Amanda) Everts, Asa (Sasha) Bowling, Cliff Everts, Salena (Clint) Corbett, William Everts, Courtney (Brian) VanAlstine, Kelly (Kory) Frieden, Tony Everts and Jacob (Amanda) Everts; 19 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren with 3 more on the way and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dale, her son Danny, her daughter-in-law Jill Everts, son-in-law, Jim McKeehan, brother John Dale Herrmann, sisters-in-law Beverly Herrmann and Jane Everts, brothers-in-law Jim Strope, Don Everts and Bus Everts.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Knob Noster, MO. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. with pastor Aleksey Lyle and Brother Charles Brant officiating. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the Knob Noster Cemetery.

The family invites all attendees to a lunch that will be held at the church following the graveside service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christan Church or to the Knob Noster Cemetery and may be left in care of the funeral home.