Darlena Belle Halstead

Darlena Belle Halstead passed away after a life of faith, prayer and goodness on January 17, 2023. She was born August 2, 1943, in Goshen, Indiana to Charles Fielden Burnett and Anna Marie Mikesell. She married the love of her life, Thomas William Halstead on April 7, 1979, in Mountain Home, Idaho. They are the proud parents of five daughters, Rhonda, Angela, Terri, Linda, and Tona. Together they created a beautiful life as they raised their family and made wonderful memories together. Her family was her life. When her daughters were younger, she would tell the funniest stories of when she went to school and the dates she went on. She had a beautiful country singing voice and would sing every night while putting her daughters to bed. She loved lavender and the flowers in her gardens. She loved watching the hummingbirds at the many bird feeders hanging near the windows of her home. She taught her daughters to love music, nature and God. She taught others how to pray by her example of praying daily and having a grateful heart. She taught what it means to sacrifice for those you love and that you can always find at least one good thing about a person if you look hard enough. She said what needed to be said and would tell anyone exactly what she thought without sugar coating. Through her example, she taught the importance of always being honest and trustworthy. She made friends with everyone she met. She was a great cook. Some of her specialties were Thanksgiving stuffing, Christmas fudge, and the best egg and cheese sandwiches. Even toast tasted better if she made it for you. She loved every piece of her Mickey Mouse collection lovingly given to her by her husband. Darlena was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was exceptional in her example of prayer and having faith in her loving Heavenly Father and His plan for her life. She believed in Jesus Christ and His atonement, in forgiving and being forgiven. Darlena’s favorite church hymn is “Oh My Father.” The last verse reads: “When I leave this frail existence, when I lay this mortal by, Father, Mother, may I meet you in your royal courts on High? Then, at length, when I’ve completed all you sent me forth to do, with your mutual approbation let me come and dwell with you.” It was her final testimony that she completed what she was sent here to do. She loved unconditionally, she raised her large family to love each other and to love God and she was ready to go and be with Jesus. Although we will always miss her, we are happy her pain is gone, and her frail body will be made strong and perfect once again. Her love remains with us. She unconditionally loved her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Darlena is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Thomas William Halstead, her daughters Rhonda (Steve Otteson), Angela (Philip Hammer), Terri (Kelly Johnson), Linda (Ray Sisk), Tona (Stephen Hibbitts), 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and her sisters-in-law Rena Murphy and Mari Jo Halstead. Darlena was preceded in death by her parents, sister Betty Jo, brother Charles, great grandson August Robbins, father-in-law Chesley Ellsworth (Red) Halstead, Jr. and mother-in-law Beverly Mae Aubrey. Her family would like to thank Dr. Bryt Christensen of Southwest Spine and Pain, Jake from Lincare Oxygen, Dr. Sheldon Moon, and Darlena’s loving friends, Del and Paul, for their great care and compassion. Her daughters especially thank her loving husband and their father, Tom, for his selfless care and attention to her every comfort and happiness and his unconditional love for her and their family.

Darlena Belle Halstead

August 2, 1943 - January 17, 2023