Wanda Jean Abel

Wanda Jean Abel, 84, of Benton Harbor, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, with Fr. James Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Shanghai Cemetery in Eau Claire. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Lakeland Hospice or St. Joseph Catholic Church. Those wishing to sign Wanda's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Wanda was born December 7, 1926 in Eau Claire to Russell & Mildred (LaPorte) Thumm. She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1945. On July 6, 1946 she married Frank Abel in Eau Claire. Wanda was employed in the printing department at Whirlpool Corporation, retiring after 15 years. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and in her spare time enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing. Wanda cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. Wanda is survived by her daughter Fran (Bill) Walker of Eau Claire; her son Rick (Debbie) Abel of Watervliet; four grandchildren-William Robert “Rob” (Elizabeth) Walker of Mesick, MI, Angela Lee Walker of St. Joseph, Chelsea Abel of Watervliet, Miranda Abel of Watervliet; and two great-grandsons-William Douglas & Joshua Mason Walker. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Frank in 1994, and by two brothers-Clare & Wayne Thumm.