Waneta LaMar Selke

Waneta LaMar Selke

Our family’s beautiful, precious and dearly loved matriarch passed away January 30, 2018 surrounded and comforted by loved ones. She was born July 9, 1917 in Hagerstown, Indiana. She had three brothers, and was raised by her grandmother following the death of her mother when our mother was just three years of age. She moved to New Castle as a teenager where she graduated from high school, was elected May Queen, during which time she lived with and worked for various families in town.

A few years later in what we believe was as much fate as it was chance, mother met the love and partner of her life-our father, Roland. He had come home for the weekend with a broken arm he had sustained while playing on the football team at Hanover College. He and some friends appeared, uninvited, at a girls’ gathering our mother was attending. From that unexpected beginning on, our parents where an inseparable, exceptional couple. Together they met with acceptance and fortitude life’s challenges, while appreciating life’s simple gifts. They were dance partners into their 90’s, and were blessed to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary one week before Roland’s death at age 98.

Because of our mother’s difficult childhood, she was dedicated to and determined in making sure her daughters and husband felt loved and secure. Our family came first and we always had a mother who was present in our lives. She took great joy and pride in raising us in the comfortable home our father had designed and built for our family. Mother’s strongest desire was to make possible a wide range of opportunities and experiences to enrich our lives. She was an advocate for and protector of us. She was passionate in her beliefs regarding what was important for us to know about life.

Our mother had many interests and talents. She was a gifted, self taught artist who began painting and winning awards for her oil paintings and watercolors when she was in her 50’s. She enjoyed collecting, researching, and restoring antiques, reading biographies, playing bridge and traveling. She was enthusiastic in pursuing new skills and activities, as evidenced by her attempts to learn to swim, jet ski and cross country ski alongside her grandchildren.

Mother was a member of PSI IOTA XI, P.E.O., Agenda Literary Club and First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir as a teenager, was married and became a 75 year member. Our parents established an ongoing scholarship fund, administered through the church, which provides enrichment opportunities for needy children.

Those of us blessed to have had our mother in their lives include her two grateful daughters, Diane (David) Robbin and Susan (Bill) Nuss; adoring grandchildren, Scott Starbuck, Margot Hausmann, Jeff Lantz, and Jennifer Moyers; and beloved great grandchildren, Teague, Ethan, Zoe, Rollie, Abhi, Evan, Mason, Eli, Cash, Eliana and Katriel. Each of us learned and depended on mother’s wisdom, attentiveness and affection. She added fun and meaning to any occasion. We will always remember her saying “ Oh honey, I was just thinking of you” when answering a phone call from one of us. We all loved her infectious laugh, endearing sayings, playfulness, grace, generosity, resilience, and gentle touch. Mother had a positive approach to life and situations. No one can recall her complaining. She greeted others with a smile and a compliment, enveloping everyone with her warmth.

We will never forget vacations at Pt. Betsie on Lake Michigan, Ft Myers Beach, Lake Wawasee and holidays spent with mother. Our family is grateful to Jennifer Moyers for providing such loving care and personal attention to her Grandmother. This along with Marquette’s Reflections at the Pavilion, made it possible for our mother to live her last several years with dignity, enjoyment and graciousness.

Visiting among family and friends will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018, with a service following at 12:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle. At a later date the family plans to have a gathering at Reflections in the Pavilion, Marquette, in recognition and appreciation of our mother’s caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimers Research Foundation, St. Vincent Hospice or Marquette Senior Living Employee Appreciation Fund.

“A mother is the truest friend we have”-Washington Irving 1773-1859. Each memory of her will be a blessing to us.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. You may share a memory or condolence of Waneta at www.hinsey-brown.com .