Willadene Emily Dietz

The world lost a treasure on June 19, 2026 when Willa Dietz passed away at BR General where the nurses provided superb care. Born Willadene Oscarson on January 24, 1941 in Spokane, Washington to Emily Elliott Oscarson and Wilhelm Oscarson, she is survived by Tom, her spouse of 64 years, two daughters, Kari Dietz and Diana Dietz Walker (Mike), three grandsons Dean, Ian, and Mitchell Walker, a sister, Erlys McCoy, and her lifelong friend from childhood, Joanne Delles.

During World War II the family moved from the Morning Star Mine where her father was a gold miner to the small town of Colville, Washington. There Willa attended public schools as did the Tom who would grow into the man she eventually married in 1962. She attended Washington State University, graduating in 1964 and started a lifelong career in educating young children.

After moving to Baton Rouge in 1971, Willa taught at University Methodist Pre-School before beginning a 25 year career at Galvez Primary School in Prairieville, screening and teaching children in Pre-K and K. In the 1990s, she made a trip to New York with her colleagues to accept an award from Project Learning Tree, acknowledging their development of a Nature Trail for outdoor learning at the school. Later, she was also awarded a grant to develop a meteorological station on the trail. Years later, adults who had been her students still remembered her and she them. She had made a positive difference in their lives just as they were starting their formal educations.

Willa always enjoyed the outdoors and spent time with her family tent camping in all the continental states west of the Mississippi, even climbing the occasional mountain. Back in Baton Rouge, she was an avid swimmer and tennis player, and could be seen riding her unusual tandem bike, walking around her Southdowns neighborhood or working with her flowers. She loved plants and gardening and established monarch butterfly sanctuaries in her yard. With copious numbers of milkweed plants and netting-covered pots, Willa nurtured the caterpillars, protecting them from predators until they were butterflies, ready to be released.

Her home was also a sanctuary for anyone who needed some R&R or someone to just listen. Summer holidays meant sangria and visiting on the patio. Thanksgiving meant fried turkey and sausage dressing at an ever-expanding table where friends and friends of friends and even their friends were welcomed. Sneaking a look at Willa’s earrings during a visit was a good indicator of the time of year: jingle bells for Christmas, ears of corn for fall, king cakes at Mardi Gras, bones at Halloween and those were the obvious ones. She had multiple choices for every occasion and all of them were unique.

She even took her caring on the road with her version of “Meals on Wheels,” putting fast food certificates, fruit in season, and often homemade sandwiches in her car, ready to hand out to those in need. She nourished rather than judged and that attitude extended to all she met.

While her smile and blue eyes were beautiful and her laugh contagious, her distinctive sense of humor is most memorable. It’s a rare woman who chooses to dress as a rabbit and hop outside her carpool colleague’s window. She is certainly the only one who ever had a pin stripe suit made for her spouse’s birthday gift, with directions to the seamstress to cut the fabric so that the pin stripes ran horizontally. Then there is the family tale of the brown patchwork vest that earned more air miles than the average traveler before transforming into a number of soup bowl hot mats. (It’s complicated but her daughters can explain.)

Woe to the person who ever mistook her gentleness for weakness. Willa lived her principles. She stood up for her family, her friends, and her belief in doing the right thing by being loving and empathetic and speaking for those who could not speak for themselves. One person can make a difference. May her memory be a blessing.

We are especially grateful for the excellent medical care given by Drs. Hathorn and LaVie. Although Willa was strong, some of her medical issues were challenging. The physicians helped her through difficult times so she could enjoy life to the fullest.

Celebration services will be held on October 29, 2026 at the Pastime Restaurant 252 South Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA. It is located downtown near the I-10 bridge over the Mississippi River. The event celebrating Willa will be casual. Food and soft drinks provided from 6-9 pm and a cash bar is available.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the charity of your choice.