Willa was born in Nelson, Nebraska on September 20, 1929 to Everett and Rubye Marshall. In October of 1945, Willa was 15 years old and was having an argument with her older sister Marlys. She told Willa that “nobody will go to that dance with you”. So, just to spite her sister, Willa agreed to accept an invitation to a blind date with Donald Pickrel, who was 17 years old. And the courting began. However, the end of World War II interrupted that courting when in December of 1945, Don became part of the Occupation Army in Europe. Then, in May of 1947, Don was Honorably Discharged. He returned home to Willa and the courting began again. Wasting no time after Willa’s High School Graduation, they married on October 4th, 1947.
Married life began with Willa working as Secretary for Specialty Builders, Don’s dad’s business. Don began his apprenticeship laying brick for his father. The newlyweds lived in a two room apartment at Belleview and Broadway, sharing a bathroom with another tenant. The household began to grow on July 23rd, 1948, with the birth of their daughter, Dona Eileen. The expansion program continued when three years later, on May 1st, 1951, Marshall Craig arrived. Expansion was completed then on March 3rd, 1955 with the birth of a second son, Bradley James.
As the years went on Willa not only raised 3 kids but was in the business world as well. She ran the Taxi Cafe in ENGLEWOOD. Later she worked for Martin Marietta during the space race, and finally ended up in real estate.
In 1973, Willa saw a home that she just HAD to have, while at an estate sale in Buena Vista, Colorado. They picked up lock, stock and barrel and moved. Dona stayed in Denver and Craig and Brad followed to Buena Vista. Don reformed Pickrel Construction and began anew, working with his two sons. Willa formed and built Realty One real estate office. The mountain experience lasted until 1983. Once again learning, adapting and changing to set up the final era. Everyone moved back to Denver.
Willa loved her family more than anything and dedicated her life to being a devoted wife and mother. She worked as a realtor for many years and it brought her absolute joy knowing she was helping other people.
Willa will be dearly missed by her children, Dona (Tom) Rybolt, Craig (Jacki) Pickrel, Brad (Sue) Pickrel; 9 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Pickrel; her siblings, Robert Marshall and Marlys Venderpool; and her parents, Everette and Rubye Marshall.
ORDER OF EVENTS FOR SERVICES FOR WILLA PICKREL
VISITATION: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 8am-10am at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary- 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial, CO 80121
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 10am at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery- 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial, CO 80121
CELEBRATION SERVICE: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 12pm The Rock Church at 4881 Cherokee Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80109
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