Wilburta Corene (Miller) Bollinger, longtime Hardesty resident, passed away Tuesday morning, January 9, 2024, at the Abundantly Blessed Care Home in Canyon, Texas at the age of 89.

The daughter of Wilbur Carcell and Elizabeth Emma (Saathoff) Miller, Wilburta was one of their triplets born September 9, 1934, near Arnett, Oklahoma. Her sister, Reburta, was stillborn, so Wilburta and Emburta became known as the Miller twins.  The Millers had resided in the Hardesty area from the time of their marriage, and when Wilburta was a young child, built the home that remains in the family.  Wilburta graduated from Hardesty High School in 1953, alongside her future husband and love of her life, Harold Jay Bollinger.

Wilburta and Harold were united in marriage on January 24, 1954, in Hardesty, and enjoyed 69 years together until his death in 2023. During their marriage, they both attended the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas; Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma; and Wilburta attained her Master of Education degree at West Texas State University in 1972.

Wilburta was a faithful and hardworking woman, supporting her husband's endeavors in building churches in Mississippi, Alabama, California, and Alaska, and in pastoring many churches including Trinity Faith Church in Liberal, KS; Panhandle Bible Center in Guymon, OK; and the Apostolic Faith Church in Spearman, TX.

She taught science and elementary classes for many years, in Dumas and Borger, Texas, and in several remote villages in Alaska. After a year of teaching the children of Chevak, Alaska, Wilburta and Harold adopted their beloved child, Crystal, from a Cup'ik mother in 1981.

Wilburta nurtured and tended the family homestead through Crystal's life, planting thousands of trees and encouraging them to thrive in the arid Oklahoma panhandle. Similarly, she encouraged her only child, and later, her grandson, to thrive in the same conditions.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Elizabeth Miller; her brothers, Gale Miller and Elson Miller; one sister, Namona Helms; and her devoted husband, Harold Bollinger.

Survivors include her child, Crystal and husband, Cody Ninemire of Hardesty; grandson, Jereme Green of Garden City, Kansas; twin sister, Emburta and husband, Larry Stallard of Gate City, Virginia; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A celebration of Wilburta's life will be held at the Hardesty Community Church, Sunday afternoon, January 21st, at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Nick Gift officiating. The immediate family will have a private interment at Hartville Cemetery, southeast of Hardesty.

Memorials in Wilburta's name can be made to The Arbor Day Foundation and will be accepted at the Bunch - Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 1112, Guymon OK 73942. Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com.