Wonetta Roeser, 90, passed away Monday, July 1, 2024 while residing at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel in Quincy. Burial will follow at Allen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends for visitation Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.
She was born on June 12, 1934, in Hillsdale County, daughter of the late Elton and Inez Herendeen.
An independent woman and a real pioneer in the work force, Wonetta started her professional career as a journalist at the Coldwater newspaper at a young age.
Most of her career was spent at Quality Springs Manufacturing Plant where she made many friends and helped others gain successful employment there, including her sister Betty. She enjoyed numerous positions at Quality Springs over the years. Working as a certified forklift operator was one job she was very proud of, able to keep up with her male counterparts and never afraid of a challenge. Her sister-in-law, Fran, always referred to Wonetta as the original Rosey the Riveter, a dedicated and hard worker.
Wonetta was whip smart, a good judge of character with strong values. People always knew where they stood with Wonetta, she was straight forward and able to clearly speak her mind. She was shrewd and feisty. Wonetta was also very kind, considerate, generous and loved by all who knew her.
She really enjoyed joking and having fun and loved to tell the story about the scare she gave her co-worker with the rubber snake! Always sharing a good laugh when reminiscing about his fear of snakes and that famous prank!
Among her many gifts, she was a great salesperson. She won several contests while operating her Sarah Coventry business in her younger years. Wonetta had great style and always took pride in her hair and appearance. She had a passion for cooking, baking and collecting cookbooks from places she visited. Famous for her strawberry rhubarb pie, she loved to share her dishes with others.
Time spent with her family, friends and partner Oscar was precious to Wonetta. Celebrating birthdays with her brothers, Max and DeWayne and sister-in-law Fran was something she always cherished. In retirement she enjoyed traveling up north, mushroom hunting, and time at the lake with her beloved cat. She was a true animal lover.
Wonetta graciously and sincerely expressed her appreciation for anything others did for her. She was so grateful for the care and attention of her stepson Kyle and niece Marty. She considered Kyle to be a real “sweetheart” and would light up when she spoke to him or about him. Wonetta thoroughly enjoyed her Boston Cream donuts (a favorite) they brought when they visited. Enjoying walks outside in her wheelchair and coffee and donuts were all special treats. Wonetta loved sweets!
The care takers at her facility were fond of Wonetta and she was fond of them, especially Tina and Tiffany! Tina was a great match for Wonetta, with a tough but special sense of humor that truly made her smile and laugh. Tiffany’s patience and compassion helped Wonetta on many hard days! She appreciated and loved them both dearly.
Wonetta was a wonderful woman and will be missed by all who knew her!
Survivors include her brother DeWayne Herendeen, she affectionately referred to him as her “baby brother” and his wife Fran Herendeen; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; her long-time companion’s children, Steven Blair, Pam Sexton and Kyle Blair. Kyle held a very special place in Wonetta’s heart, she always considered him her stepson and his children, her grandchildren.
Wonetta was proceeded in death by her siblings, Cecil, Wilbur, Maxine, Della, Sallie, Betty and Max; her former husband Duard Roeser; and her life partner of many decades, Oscar Blair Jr.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility.
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