November 14, 1941 to September 3, 2023

Barbara Jean (Wagner) Derda passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 3, 2023, at the age of 81. She was born on November 14, 1941, in Springfield, MO, the fourth of six children born to Ruby (Gray) and John Wagner.

She married Jeffrey Derda in 1966. In March of 1968 they welcomed their daughter Regina. In 1973, Jeff, Barbara and Regina moved to Auburn where they were members of Holy Family Catholic Church. The family enjoyed many adventures on their boat as they navigated the waters of the Pacific Northwest. She loved and was very involved in her community. In addition to co-owning a floral shop and working in office administration roles over the years, her many activities included serving as a coach for Regina’s softball team for many years, delivering meals to homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels and volunteering with the Auburn Senior Activity Center, where, in 2022, she was awarded the distinction of Volunteer Emeritus status in honor of 19 years of dedicated service.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jeff, in 2007, daughter, Regina, in 2018, and brothers John R. Wagner and Van W. Wagner. She is survived by her sisters, Mary (Robert) Hanson, Rita (Edward) Miller, and Ruby (William) Alexander, son-in-law, Michael Coleman, and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara will be laid to rest beside her beloved Jeff in the Tahoma National Cemetery in a private family ceremony. A gathering of Barbara’s friends, neighbors, and family to remember and celebrate her life is being planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.