Reta Arleen Vanatta's Obituary
Reta Arleen Vanatta, 84, of Welch, OK, passed away Saturday, December 15, 2018 at her home after a sudden illness. She was born August 16, 1934 in Treece, Kansas to William Arliss Youngblood and Onis Lillian (Treece) Youngblood.
On January 31, 1951, at the age of 16, Reta married Roy Vanatta in Bentonville, Arkansas in the middle of a snow storm. They were married for 64 years until Roy passed away on October 16, 2015.
She was a hard worker. For many years, she was a homemaker, pecan farmer, cattle farmer, a janitor for Welch Schools, and even worked for several years at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. She loved raising her children and playing cards.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Roy; a son, David Vanatta; one grandson, Ted Vanatta; 1 granddaughter, Caitlyn Vanatta; a sister, Dorthy James; and 3 brothers Dean, Gene, and Don Youngblood; and two daughter in laws, Judy Blunk Vanatta and Juanita Vanatta.
She is survived by 3 daughters, Sherry Pease and husband Roger of Welch, Joie Smith and husband Tim of Welch, and Sandra Lamae Vanatta of Miami; 3 sons, Roy E. Vanatta and wife Ann of Welch, Larry Franklin Vanatta of Miami, and Stephen Craig Vanatta and wife Sherri of Welch; 26 grandchildren; 63 great grandchildren; 13 great great grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 19, 2018 in the Chapel of the Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Welch. Pastor John Dorsey will officiate. A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 6-8 p.m., also at the Funeral Home. She will be laid the rest in the Welch Cemetery next to Roy. Grandsons will serve as casket bearers.
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