Darlene Jean Belnap Alder

April 7, 1947 – July 26, 2025

Darlene Jean Belnap Alder, passed away peacefully on Saturday July 26, 2025 at the age of 78. Darlene was born on April 7, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Bryan West Belnap and Darlene Howard Belnap. Affectionately she was known as “Dolly Jean” in her youth. Darlene carried a special warmth and enthusiasm for service throughout her life.

Darlene grew up surrounded by love and faith, and from a young age, she had a bright spirit, a giving heart, and a deep devotion to her family.

Darlene attended school in Provo, Utah. She had transferred from Provo High School to BY High School for her senior year, which proved to be one of the greatest decisions of her life. She met her high school sweetheart Francis C. Alder there, whom she married 11 months after he returned from his LDS mission in Chile, in 1969.

Darlene attended Brigham Young University pursuing a Nursing degree. Her father was the Dean of Religion there and when she was 19, he passed away. She was the oldest of seven children, the youngest being under one year old. She felt she should quit school and help her mother care for the family. Her mother encouraged her to continue her studies. She did continue and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and became an RN.

After marrying Francis and finishing her degree, they moved to San Francisco for Francis to attend dental school at the University of the Pacific. Darlene worked as a registered nurse while they lived there. Their first child, Brian, was born while they were in California. After graduation, they moved to the Pacific Northwest where Francis established his dental practice.

Darlene wanted to continue using her nursing skills, so she taught Lamaze classes; natural childbirth techniques to expecting parents at a time when fathers were just being allowed in the delivery room of hospitals.

Her nursing training continued to bless their lives when their second child, Danny, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at the age of four. She helped care for him as he battled the disease for five years. Danny was not able to stay in remission and a relatively new procedure of a bone marrow transplant was presented as an option. At that time, the procedure was only performed in Seattle and New York. It would offer a 20% chance for a cure and would require living in Seattle for six months. They located an apartment in Seattle where Darlene and Danny could live during the transplant. Francis and the children would come up to visit on weekends.

The transplant was successful, but with a price. The chemotherapy and radiation greatly affected Danny’s short-term memory. Darlene and the family would help him as he navigated school and life skills.

Together Darlene and Francis had four children, Brian, Danny, Janell, and Andrew. They built a loving Christ-centered home and shared 56 years together filled with love, faith, and deep devotion.

Darlene’s talents were many. She had a gift for calligraphy that brought elegance to every page she touched. She was a great cook. Her sugar cookies were legendary. She found joy in sewing, arts and crafts. One of her favorite pastimes was playing the piano while the family gathered around singing together. She loved spending time with grandchildren and serving others.

A woman of unwavering faith, Darlene was deeply devoted to the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her spiritual strength was evident in every aspect of her life. She was a source of comfort and inspiration to those around her.

She and Francis participated in several humanitarian dental trips to orphanages in Mexico and Guatemala over the years.

Darlene served in many ways in the church. She loved the youth and served as Young Women’s President. She also served in a ward Relief Society presidency, in a ward Primary presidency, as a counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency and as a temple ordinance worker in the Portland Oregon Temple.

She served with her husband as they presided over the Chile Antofagasta Mission. It was challenging at first because she had to learn Spanish. She learned to speak fluently. She loved the missionaries in the mission as her own children. She continued to influence, communicate and keep in touch with them.

She would recount that one of her cherished experiences was the call for her and Francis to serve as President and Matron of the Santiago Chile Temple. “I felt so close to the Lord, serving in His House. I have never felt such an outpouring of love as I witnessed the sweet Chilean sisters serve others in the temple.”

She will be deeply missed, but we rejoice in the knowledge that families are forever, and we will see her again.

Darlene is survived by her husband Francis and children, sons; Brian (Jolene) and Andrew; and daughter Janell Nugent (Mark). Grandchildren Ashley, Aubrey, Alex, Nick, Sean, and Maya.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan West and Darlene Belnap, and her son Danny. Siblings; Bonnie Belnap Miller, Howard Belnap, and Kristine Belnap Largey.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21720 NE 29th Ave., Ridgefield, WA. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be at the Northwood Park Cemetery.

In honor of Darlene’s serving spirit, please consider an act of service or simply encouraging others to show kindness in her memory.