Darhl Buchanan

Darhl (Freer) Buchanan passed peacefully early in the morning of February 8th, 2022, in her South Jordan home under the watchful and loving care of her four children. She was a Southern soul born into a Western family in Burley, Idaho on March 13, 1933. The daughter of Lewis Cleone and Ruby (Williams) Freer, Darhl had fond memories of growing up with her seven siblings on the Freer Dairy Farm where “You can whip our cream, but you can’t beat our milk!” Later the family moved to Meridian, Idaho where she graduated from Meridian High School. She had a close relationship with her siblings and loved to go antiquing with her mother and sisters.

Darhl married Keith Howard Botkin on June 26, 1952 in Logan, Utah. They lived together in Nampa, Idaho with their four children for 25 years. Darhl was a natural homemaker known for her delicious cooking and baking and her beautiful, immaculate home.

Darhl and Keith later divorced, after which she moved to Murray, Utah. Later, she met and married her eternal companion William (Bill) Joseph Buchanan on September 19, 1981. They were sealed a year later in the Jordan River Utah Temple. They spent their senior years traveling together in their motor home. They also had the opportunity to travel internationally. In 1993 they served in the South Carolina Columbia Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Darhl served faithfully throughout her life in numerous capacities for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as well as in civic and charitable organizations. When not traveling, Darhl and Bill resided in their home in Flagstaff, Arizona until they moved to South Jordan, Utah in 2002 to be closer to family. Visits with family and family reunions were highlights of Darhl’s life.

Darhl loved all the lovely things in life, especially the gospel and her family. She collected dolls, miniature tea sets, salt and pepper shakers, and porcine menagerie (don’t ask us why). But her most prized possessions were her 34 grandchildren and 63 great-grandchildren, of whom she was just as equally beloved. Condolences go to her immediate offspring for not being her favorites.

Darhl had a very special love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and her immediate and extended family.

Darhl is preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Berwyn (Derald) Tilley and Karma (John “Wayne”) Webb, and granddaughter Jolene Buchanan. She is survived by her other two sisters Sheri (Jack) Brown and Loa Webb, three brothers Forrest (Shirley), Ferrel (Mary), and George (Sue) Freer, her children Terry (Cheryl) Botkin, Diane (Larry) Petrie, Lorrie (James) Kelley, Aleta (Kendal) Wake, Joseph (Karen) Buchanan, and Susan Liggett, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a private family service and she will be interred in the Salt Lake Cemetery next to her husband on February 12, 2022. The service will be streamed at 1:30 on the Jenkins-Soffe website www.jenkins-soffe.com. It will be available for viewing for 30 days.

The family would like to express their sincere and utmost appreciation to Joni Barnson who was Darhl’s treasured caregiver, Victoria Carrithers for her extra care, and Valeo Home Health and Hospice. Flowers may be sent to the Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home at 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan Utah, 84095.