Wauneta Irene Messenger

Wauneta Irene Messenger was born in Scott County to Charles and Thelma (Snyder) Strickert on Feb. 3, 1932.

Wauneta attended Scott County schools and graduated from high school in 1949.

On Nov. 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 it provided 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 since 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 “God bless you” and “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”

Wauneta loved people and never met a stranger. She also loved to play cards, dance, walk and shop.

Wauneta worked hard as a homemaker, wife, mother, and in her real estate profession.

She is survived by her daughter, Dawnnel Francis and husband, Frank; son, Chad Messenger and wife, Cheryl; daughterin- law, Cindy Messenger; grandsons, Jason Ochs and wife, Sara, Tyler Messenger and husband, Juan, Alex Messenger and wife, Denise, and Michael Messenger and fiancé, Audrey Shepherd; granddaughters, Jody Kerr and husband, Brad, Lindy Johnson and husband, Jeff, and Charyl Obregon and husband, Oscar; three great-grandsons, one stepgreat- 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.”

The funeral service will be held Fri., Feb. 16, 10:00 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Garden City, with Pastor Lyle Stuehrenberg officiating.

Burial will follow at the Scott County Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be given to the Finney County Senior Center or the Trinity Lutheran Endowment Fund, both in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th Street, Garden City, Ks. 67846.

Condolences may be given at garnandfunerahomes.com.