Willetta Neher

Willetta Mae Neher was born December 12, 1929, the fifth of twelve children to the late Guy and Mayme (Blacksher) Halliburton, and passed away January 5, 2022, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She was 92 years and 24 days of age.

Willetta was raised in Mountain Grove and attended school there graduating with the Mountain Grove High School class of 1947. She was united in marriage to Harvey Lee Neher on February 15, 1948. They resided in Mountain Grove where they raised two children, Janice and Leland.

Willetta and Harvey attended Greenwood Church of the Brethren for many years where she taught the primary children’s Sunday School class. In addition, they attended the Mountain Grove South Street Church of God where she was a member of WCG and presented the children’s story during worship on Sundays. For several years, Willetta also volunteered her time with Jeanette Dalton and opened her home to the children’s Good News Club that was organized for after school Bible study.

Willetta loved entertaining family and friends in her home. As an accomplished quilter, Willetta gave away or sold numerous quilts. In May of 1987, the town of Mountain Grove presented Willetta’s trapunto quilt to Vice President George H.W. Bush during the dedication of the town square.

Besides her parents, Willetta was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Neher, and five sisters, Thelma Stambaugh, Naomi Chandler, Marcella Smith, DeEtt Meadors, and Elsie Keyes.

Willetta is survived by her daughter, Janice Bean and husband, Charlie Bean, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, son, Leland Neher of Ashland, Missouri, three grandchildren, Jana Bean, Stock Neher, and Max Neher, six sisters, Estia Arnold, Ruth Carter and husband, Walton, Lenora Ferguson, Marian Alean Manasco, Mary Ann Coats and husband, Kenneth, and Katherine Ripka, and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.