Obit: Koranda, Reta D. #2 (1926 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Koranda, Flick, Walker, Tibbett, Hunt, Diercks, Stacy, Sentek, Durham, Zank, Koppert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 11/06/2013

Koranda, Reta Dale (16 May 1926 - 3 November 2013)

Reta D. Koranda, 87, of Neillsville died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Reta Dale Walker was born May 16, 1926, in Fairchild, the daughter of Wesley and Jessie (Flick) Walker. She attended Humbird Public Schools, graduating in 1944. Reta went to work for a clothing factory in Wisconsin Rapids sewing wool khaki overcoats for the United States Army. She then worked at the Winnebago Indian School as a girl’s matron. She was united in marriage Sept. 21, 1946, to Jerry J. Koranda, who was stationed in Korea serving with the United States Army. Reta remained employed at the Indian School until Jerry’s return in November of 1947. They moved to Wisconsin Rapids where Reta worked at Jerrold’s ready-to-wear store. They later returned to Neillsville and farmed with Jerry’s parents. Reta was employed at the Memorial Medical Center for 40 years as a nursing assistant and physical therapy technician until her retirement. Reta also did a lot of babysitting and was employed with Gemini Leasing Program for one year. Her hobby was her life, and she lived it to the fullest. Her passion was caring for others wherever needed, especially her grandsons and great-grandsons.

She is survived by a daughter, Rosalie (Thomas) Tibbett of Neillsville; a foster daughter, Rosetta Hunt of Minnesota; two grandsons, Jason Tibbett and his children, Chase Edward and Rydge Robert Tibbett of Humbird and Phillip (Jessie) Tibbett and their child, Kayden Tibbett of Belgium. She is further survived by a sister, Nita Diercks of Vesper; sisters-in-law, Edna Walker, Charlene Walker and Margaret Walker; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and co-workers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a foster daughter, Anita Stacy; seven brothers, Ralph, Melvin, Orville, Bervil, Manley, Clifford and Seth; and three sisters, Wanda in infancy, Zora Sentek and Charlotte Durham.

A memorial service will be held for Reta at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, at the united Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor Jacoba Koppert will officiate. Providing music will be Eileen Zank, organist. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and again Monday morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the United Church of Christ. Interment of cremains will be in Dells Dam Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com . The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Reta’s family with funeral arrangements.