ROCK CREEK — Betty R. Vanek, age 88, went home to be with her eternal family Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. She left with her family by her side in her home knowing how much she was loved and cherished.
Born March 21, 1924, in Manamanee Falls, Wis., she was a daughter to the late John and Barbara (Rittman) Wondracek. Their large family later moved to Ohio. On Feb. 16, 1946, she married Ronald L. Vanek in Cleveland. On August 23, 1957, when their son was 17 days old, the family moved to Rock Creek to the home they had built together.
They had four children: son, Ronald J. (Sandy) Vanek of Rock Creek, daughters, Loraine Howard of Austinburg, Robin Vanek of Geneva and Melissa Fogarty of Rock Creek; grandchildren, respectively, Erica (Eric) Hudson, Ronald L. Vanek, Penny (Zack) Beesler, Tiffany and Travis Vanek, Alyssa and James Fogarty and Bailey Barret; and great-granddaughters, Abigail and Emily Beesler. There are also several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in passing by her husband, Ronald on April 27,1989; also her brothers John, Frank and George; and sisters, Margaret, Francis, Hilda, Helen and Anne (and their spouses).
She enjoyed family gatherings, bus tours with friends, she loved animals, leaving behind two cats, “Furby and Sassy”. But more than anything, she enjoyed watching her family grow and knowing how much we all loved her.
Before she quit working permanently to be with her family, she had been employed by White Motors, Halle Brothers and Gordon Grill in Cleveland. She also worked at the Willows Inn and the Clay Street Inn after moving to Rock Creek. But above all, she was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to all of us and for this we are grateful and we will miss her, but we will never forget her.
A Memorial Service will be held 1 p.m. for friends and family on Saturday Jan. 12th, at the Sacred Heart Church, 3409 N. Main St. (Rt. 45), Rock Creek, Ohio.
The Jefferson Home of FLEMING & BILLMAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS, INC., 49 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson, is handling arrangements. Guest book and obituary at fleming-billman.com and starbeacon.com.
