Darla Kay Mortensen

Born May 18, 1959 in Moline to Gerald Dean and Sandra Kay (Yocum) Mortensen, she married David L. Huskisson, Sr. on May 14, 1976 in Pekin. David was Darla’s best friend.

Also surviving are her mother of Manito; one daughter, CaSandra (Jeremiah) Tish of Pekin; one son, David (Colette) Huskisson of Pekin; 12 grandchildren, Paige (Dylan) Gresham, Jacob Franklin, Christopher Franklin, Austin Drum, Malechi Franklin, Brittan Franklin, Hunter Huskisson, Michael Franklin, III, Jurnee Franklin, Alexis Tish, Jessi Tish and Piper Tish; one great-grandchild, Rylan Franklin; two brothers, Mark (Carol) Mortensen of Keansburg, Colorado and Mike (Kari) Mortensen of Beardstown; three sisters, Robin Mortensen of Pekin, Lynette (Abraham) Vasquez and Gerry (Shannon) Schnitker, both of Manito and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and two brothers, Rick Mortensen and James Mortensen.

Darla worked at Inktel Contact Center Solutions in Peoria in their support center since 1999. She previously worked for Avanti’s for more than 20 years in East Peoria and then transferred to the Pekin location. She also worked as a bus driver for the City of Pekin.

Darla loved camping and going to garage sales along with trying new restaurants. She also looked forward to anything family related, especially family pizza nights, cookouts and Christmas gatherings.

A celebration of life cook out will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30, 2023 at the Royal Avenue Shelter in Mineral Springs Park in Pekin. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 North Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615.

The family is thankful to her best friend, David, and daughter-in-law, Colette, for how they were always with Darla as a security blanket through her journey with cancer.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com