Wauneta Irene Messenger was born in Scott County, Kansas to Charles and Thelma Snyder Strickert on February 3, 1932.
Wauneta attended Scott County Schools and graduated from high school in 1949.
On November 6, 1949, Wauneta married Donald Ray Messenger and to this union four children were born: Charles (Chuck), who passed away in 2021, Donnetta, who passed away in 1953, Dawnnel, and Chad.
Wauneta was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher and was a member of the LWML.
She had been a member of FCE since 1950, served on the Finney County Extension Council and was a member of the Finney County Senior Center.
She was a real estate agent and broker where she received many awards. In 1995 she was given the “Centurion” award for sales in the top 2% of the nation of Century 21.
Don always said that Wauneta’s hard work in real estate and the income is what helped save the farm and help build the estate; Wauneta would correct him saying “Only by the grace of God” were we so blessed.
Wauneta loved her grandchildren, and her prayer was that she would be a good grandmother as her children did not know their grandmothers as they both had died at early ages.
She had so many sayings, but the one she would tell her grandchildren was “Bod bless you” and “I love You a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”Wauneta loved peoples and never met a stranger. She also loved to play cards, dance, walk, and shop.
Wauneta worked had as a homemaker, wife, mother, and in her real estate profession.She is survived by one daughter, Dawnnel Francis and husband Frank; on daughter-in-law Chuck Messenger’s wife Cindy; one son Chad Messenger and wife Cheryl. Grandsons Jason Ochs and wife Sara, Tyler Messenger and husband Juan, Alex Messenger and wife Denise, and Michael Messenger and Fiancé Audrey Shepherd. Three granddaughters Jody Kerr and husband Brad, Lindy Francis and husband Jeff, & Charyl Obregon and husband Oscar. Three great grandsons, one step great-grandson, seven great granddaughters, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Every night before they would go to sleep, Don and Wauneta always said to one another, “Goodnight, God bless you and I love you.”Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Garden City with Pastor Lyle Stuehrenberg officiating. Burial will follow at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas. Visitation hours will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family will be at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday to visit with friends. The family suggests memorials given to the Finney County Senior Center or to Trinity Lutheran Endowment Fund, both in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be given at garnandfunerahomes.com.