Daria Maria Waskiw Close, 63, of Wichita Falls, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 4 ^th at Lunn's Chapel with Pastor John Gardner officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

Daria was born on May 5, 1957, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Rosemarie (Hofer) and John Waskiw. Daria was a Christian woman with a servant's heart who loved the Lord and people. Daria was a first generation American born from Ukraine and Czechoslovakian immigrants. Daria obtained her bachelor's degree in Nursing from Rutgers University and then enlisted in the United States Air Force where she was a Clinical Nurse for 3 years. She was stationed at SAFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. She received an Air Force Training Ribbon and Military Indoctrination for Medical Service Officers. Upon her expiration of term of service in 1988, Daria began her career as a Nursing Instructor at Vernon College. During that time, she was also in the USAF Reserves until 1993. In 2006, Daria continued her career at MSU as an Assistant Professor of Nursing. Throughout her 15 years at MSU she served as a member of the Interdisciplinary Committee for the Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services helping plan and participated in annual Mock Adult and NICU Mega code projects, an interdisciplinary venture involving many departments on campus. This is but one example of her wonderful collegiality and commitment to her MSU family. Daria was also active in numerous organizations including Nursing Faculty and Student Affairs Committees, Texas Nurses Association (TNA), Sigma Theta Tau - Xi Iota Chapter, Texas Association of College Teachers (TACT), and American Nurses Association (ANA). She gave generously of her time and energy. Daria obtained her first master's degree in nursing from MSU and an additional master's degree in nursing from Capella University.

Daria enjoyed spending time with family and friends and studying Gods word. Daria enjoyed travelling and sight-seeing. Daria enjoyed learning Spanish to be able to communicate with Dons family. Daria had the gift of discernment and would give someone scripture and prayer exactly when it was needed. Daria was known as Baba to her grandchildren and she held that title with pride.

She was preceded in death by her father John Waskiw, mother Rosemarie Waskiw and mother in law Jessie Banda Close.

Daria is survived by her husband of 23 years Don Close, daughters Kristina Andonian (Ryan Andonian) and Ashton Shannon (Richie Shannon), brother and sister-in-law Myron and Marta Waskiw, niece and nephew Stephan and Kate Waskiw and grandchildren Philip Close, Kane Hoover, Starr Shannon, Kyler Shannon, and Cooper Shannon.