Winifred Lou "Wende" (Durbin) Allard was lovingly called home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 28, 2025, after a brief but courageous journey with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Born on June 27, 1949, to Noble and Kathryne (Wegener) Durbin, Wende grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, and was a lifelong resident of Osceola. She graduated from Jimtown High School in 1967 and shortly after, on May 27 of the same year, married the love of her life, David "Dave" Allard. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work.

Wende was a devoted wife, a loving daughter, and a fiercely dedicated mother who poured her heart into her family. She was the kind of person who showed up — with steady hands, a listening ear, and a deep reservoir of strength. Her honesty was one of her defining traits; she believed in saying what needed to be said, not out of harshness but from a place of love, wisdom, and a desire to guide others well. With a quick wit and a contagious laugh, she brought lightness into everyday moments. Her faith in Jesus Christ was not just a belief, but the foundation of how she lived — evident in her compassion, perseverance, and the quiet, unshakable peace she carried. Wende found the most joy in the people she loved and the small, beautiful things: a well-told joke, a quiet afternoon with family, or a heartfelt conversation over tea.

Over the years, Wende wore many hats: from working in factories and a bank to driving a semi, tearing down transmissions, and keeping books at DDW Automotive, the family business she helped run with Dave and their son. She retired from Parker Hannifin in 2016. Whatever the job, she approached it with grit, integrity, and purpose.

Wende was endlessly curious and deeply creative. She had a lifelong passion for reading — from sweeping historical accounts to novels that transported her to different times and places. Her fascination with U.S. history and genealogy made her a dedicated family historian, always piecing together the stories of those who came before. In her younger years, she found joy in crocheting, embroidery, and sewing — her hands always busy creating something with love. As she grew older, her creativity evolved into new forms: painting ceramics with care, getting lost in the calming rhythm of coloring, and the meticulous sparkle of diamond painting. Wende loved the open road and delighted in family travels that combined learning and laughter. Whether visiting Civil War battlefields, presidential homes, or simply roadside oddities like Cadillac Ranch or the Jolly Green Giant, she embraced it all with childlike wonder. Camping trips were among her favorite adventures, especially those spent surrounded by nature and laughter. One of her quirks — and greatest joys — was photographing flowers and capturing the beauty around her, often turning her camera toward Dave as he tried to do the same.

Wende lived her life with strength, joy, and unshakable faith. Her family takes comfort knowing she is at peace and home with her Savior.

She is now joyfully reunited in eternity with her parents, her beloved husband Dave, and their son, David P. Allard II.

Wende's legacy lives on through her children: Sarah (Jesse) Valdez; Valerie (Jody) Aistrop; and Dustin (Carrie) Allard, her siblings Sally Parker, Carrie (William) Middleton, and Noble Durbin, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. She was a proud Grammy to Bradley (Jamie) Miller; Coty (Jessica) Fisher; Kathryn Aistrop; Anthony Allard; Bonnie Aistrop, Mia Allard, and Wesley Allard. She was also Great-Grammy to Alexavier, Caleb, Natalia, and Titus.

A visitation will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy., Osceola, IN 46561, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 4pm to 8pm. A funeral will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 12pm with a small gathering 1 hour prior to services. She will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens following her service.

To leave a message for the family, please go to https://www.chapelhillmemorial.com/