Vanetta (fondly known as Dede, a nickname given by her brother when he could not pronounce her given name) passed away on November 29, 2022. She was born on August 30, 1927, in Beloit, Wisconsin to Glen and Vanetta (Hirt) Davis.
Dede graduated from Beloit High School in 1945 and immediately applied to be a cadet in the U.S. Army Nursing Program. She graduated from St. Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford, Illinois in 1947. Dede began her nursing experience in the Veteran's Hospital in St. Louis. Once her assignment was completed, she returned to Beloit to work at The Beloit Memorial Hospital. Dede worked in all departments of the hospital but especially liked working the the emergency room. She eventually moved up the ranks of the management until she was appointed Vice President of Nursing. During her career, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Saint Francis, December 1976 and her Master of Science Degree from George Williams College, December 1980.
Dede married the love of her life, George Gerhardt on August 25, 1951, at Saint Thomas Catholic Church in Beloit, Wisconsin. They had two daughters, Cynthia (Richard) Nenahlo of Alaska and Michelle Drescher of McKinney, Texas. Over the course of their 53 year marriage, she and George became established members of their community and took great joy in traveling around the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Dede is survived by and will forever remain in the hearts of her two daughters; four grandchildren, Christina (Andrew) McCrea, Thomas (Alexandra) Nenahlo, Nicholas (Sarah) Drescher and Christopher (Katie) Drescher; she has 9 great grandchildren with another due in March.
Dede was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; brother, Oliver Davis; and sister, Katherine Nickel.
A funeral mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Monday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. Visitation will also be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service in the church on Tuesday.
Dede will be laid to rest at Mount Thabor Cemetery in Beloit, Wisconsin on December 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials may be given in Dede's name to St. Gabriel The Archangel Catholic Church, McKinney, Texas.