Willa Loraine Adair Henriksen, age 95, of Sundance, Wyoming, passed away on August 28, 2026, in Spearfish, South Dakota, leaving behind a legacy of faith, resilience, and joyful storytelling.

Willa Loraine Adair was born on March 30, 1931 in Moorcroft, Wyoming. She was the oldest of three children born to the union of Lester Adair and Elizabeth “Bessie” (Nitcy) Adair.  Willa’s life was an incredible journey of grit and grace. Growing up in a demanding era, she learned the value of hard work as a child, shaping her into a remarkably capable and independent woman. Willa was truly one-of-a-kind. She was a woman who had no problem harvesting and skinning a deer, yet possessed a heart so tender that she would wash mud off trapped birds just so they could take to the skies again.

Willa’s life was a testament to a deep, unshakeable Christian faith. In 1968, faced with daunting pioneering open-heart surgery, she calmly placed her life in God’s hands. That quiet bravery granted her nearly six more decades of life to share with those she loved – and today, she now, too, is free and able to fly again just like the birds she and her brother Walter rescued as children.

After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Education (with the help of her beloved Fred), Willa poured her spirit into nurturing her elementary students for decades. She absolutely loved her chosen career. She eventually retired in 1995. However, she couldn’t get away from the “Teacher” inside of her. She found herself tutoring students of the community, teaching Sunday school, hosting Bible class on Wednesdays, and Bible study at the Assisted Living Center in Sundance, WY, until her health made it impossible to continue.

Throughout her lifetime, Willa often camped and fished in various locations. Her love for nature was evident. Many whom were lucky enough to tag along on such adventures, were gifted with more than just the specifics of catching fish, you were enlightened with life lessons to pass along to future generations.

Willa’s hands were rarely still even at a late age. She loved cultivating the earth, turning her deep appreciation for growth and nature into beautiful thriving landscapes and garden vegetables for all to enjoy. Her gardens were miraculous, and the canning lessons were priceless!

Willa is joyfully reunited in Heaven with her beloved grandparents Paul Nitcy & Susanna “Susie” Wiebe Nitcy, her parents Lester Adair and Elizabeth “Bessie” Nitcy Adair; siblings Walter (Jean) Adair and Norma (Laurel) Adair Buettner; beloved husband William “Fred” Walker (1950-1971) and husband Richard Henriksen (1992-2012); and numerous beloved relatives and friends.

She is survived by family and friends who will forever cherish her memory. Nieces, Judith

“Judy” Buettner Medearis, and Robin (late Ralph) Schmitz; great nieces, Lori (Bert) Shields, Kristy Medearis; great-great nephew Leo Medearis; cousins, Marie McCollum and family, Becky (Alan) Christianson and family, beloved friends Jo Ann and Tom Necklason, Les & Deb Penning and family, Annette & Mark Viergets and family, Graham Viergets, ALL Members of the Church of Christ of Sundance, and numerous relatives and friends.

Willa was a natural and gifted storyteller just like her Grandparents and Parents, she could captivate a room, weaving vivid tales of her childhood (and OUR childhoods) and lessons of faith that will live on in the hearts of generations.

Willa’s Epilogue from the “Paul and Susie Nitcy’s Family, and How They Grew” book she composed along with the input of others:

“My family has wonderful memories of all the times we lived in the Shack. It was delightful to be so close to our grandparents. I am truly grateful God gave me such wonderful grandparents and parents. I am what they helped me to become. I thank them for teaching me to be responsible and honest. They taught me to love and care for our neighbors. They also taught me my Christian values by being a good example of how to live.”

Yes, Willa was an Excellent example of “how to live”.

Memorial services will be at 3:00 pm on Friday, September 4, 2026 at the Church of Christ in Sundance, Wyoming.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com