Jean A. Wotta, 87, of Bronson passed away Friday, January 12, 2024 at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility’s Memory Care Unit in Coldwater surrounded by her daughters.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson with Benjamin Himebaugh officiating.
The family will receive guests for visitation that morning from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
A private burial of ashes will be held at East Gilead Cemetery at a later date.
Jean was the first born to Lawrence & Eleanor (Beck) Wohlers on October 22, 1936 in Bronson, MI. She grew up on the Wohlers family farm with her younger brothers Leroy and Gary. Jean graduated from Bronson High School in 1954 and then went to work at Douglas in Bronson while helping on the family farm.
In November 1956 Jean married Bill N. Ward. Together they had 3 daughters; Judy, Cindy and Merrilee. After becoming a mother, she was able to stay home and assist with the family Mobile Oil Business and the White Swan Motel.
As the girls grew, she also helped at the schools and when the youngest was old enough she went to work at the Branch County Register of Deeds for several years.
After several years passed, Jean changed her career path to join the team at Kirsch. It was there she met John Wotta. She and John married in 1994. She retired in 1997 to spend more time with her family.
In her spare time Jean loved to cook, bake and grow amazing flowers. You could always find her pulling weeds even as she walked by a neighbor. She grew the most beautiful flowers and took pride in having the best garden in town. She also enjoyed quilting, skills she learned from her mother. She made quilts for her girls as well as one for all the new grandbabies. She spent countless hours making yarn covered hangers that are enjoyed by many.
She also spent every available minute helping and caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would make it to sporting events, birthday parties and simply just to visit. She devoted her life to being the best Granny she could be! They were the love of her life!
Jean leaves behind her children Judy (Allan) Himebaugh, Cindy (Rick) Johannes both of Bronson, Merrilee (Steve) Rumsey of Lagrange, IN; her brother Gary (Penny) Wohlers of Bronson; her grandchildren Joshua (Kathe) Himebaugh, Isaac Himebaugh, Jacob (Jennifer) Himebaugh, Nathan (Mandy) Himebaugh, Benjamin (Alicia) Himebaugh, Amos (Deanna) Himebaugh; her 20 great grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews and her close friend John Wotta of Sturgis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Daniel Ringle, her brother Leroy Wohlers, and the father of her children Bill Ward.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bronson Food Pantry.
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