Wanita Nehl

Wanita G. Nehl, 79, of Monticello died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids after a brief illness surrounded by her family. Friends may call from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello where a parish vigil will be held at 3:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello with burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Rev. Paul Baldwin will officiate. Wanita was born April 3, 1934, near Anamosa the daughter of William and Myrtle (Smith) Dirks. She married Donald Gilbert "Gib" Nehl on April 21, 1952, in Sand Springs, Iowa. While she was a teenager she worked at the Reliance Shirt Factory in Anamosa and later she worked at Ensign Coil in Cascade. Together she and Gib raised six children in and near Monticello. She enjoyed making ceramics for many years, collecting and gifting some of her handiwork. She also enjoyed dancing, camping, garage sales, shopping and spending time with her family and grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, Gib, 6 children: James (Joyce) of St. Joseph, MO, Pat (Earl) Bernardi of Hopkinton, Monica (Ron) Fagan of Onslow, Jerry (Cathy) of Port Huron, MI, Connie (Terry) Coder of Anamosa and Jason (Deidre) of Raytown, MO; 18 Grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Helen Drumbarger and Dorothy (Tom) Kirby, both of Monticello, a sister-in-law, Helen Dirks of Monticello, and 2 brothers-in-law, Joe (Connie) Nehl of Dubuque and Harold Peters of Monticello. She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Eugene Dirks, two sisters: LaVonne Peters and Anna (Lawrence) Kray; brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert Drumbarger, Gerry (Paul) Williams, Rita (Willis) Doden, Isabel (Joe) Lahr, Gene (Julie) Nehl, John (Janette) Nehl, Vernon Nehl, Wally (Rose) Nehl and Joan (Jack) Bockenstedt. The family would like to thank the staff at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade and the staff at St. Luke's ICU for the wonderful care you provided for our wife and mother.