Wanda Faye Grotefendt

Saturday, November 16, 2024

10:00 to 11:00 am

Marine UCC, Marine, IL

Saturday, November 16, 2024

11:00 am

Marine UCC, Marine, IL

Wanda Faye Grotefendt, 84, of Highland, IL, passed away peacefully Friday, November 8, 2024, at Anderson Hospital, in Maryville, IL.

She was born on November 2, 1940, to Roland W. and Anna “Ann” L. (nee Schmidt) Schmidt.  She grew up in St. Jacob and graduated from St. Jacob (Triad) High School in 1958. She married the love of her life, Darwin Grotefendt, on May 23, 1959, at St. Jacob UCC.

She and Darwin raised three children. After their youngest child headed to college, Wanda also attended college.  In 1982, she received her Associate’s degree from Clayton University in Preventative & Therapeutic Clinical Nutrition.  She then attended Donsbach University and received her Bachelor of Science degree. In 1992, she was able to successfully pass her National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworks, where she focused on holistic medicine, reflexology, and neuromuscular therapeutic massage. For the last 41 years, Wanda owned and operated her own business, Neuromuscular Therapeutics, out of her home in Highland, IL. Not only helping her community with her therapeutic massage, but renowned enough to attract professional athletes competing in the area as well.

On top of her scholarly successes, Wanda obtained her private pilot license in 1990. In 1995, she was one of the first women to obtain her instrument rating, a pilot rating earned through intensive training focused on flying solely by reference to instruments.

She loved playing the piano and organ. Other times she found solace in her kitchen baking confections of every kind. For some time, she even made wedding cakes. She was renowned for the abundant amounts of Christmas cookies she’d bake that would last her family well into the New Year.

Wanda was known for her intelligence, independence, and boundless kindness. While Wanda achieved much in her life, she found her greatest fulfillment in the family she built and cherished. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, who cultivated a family filled with love, support, and laughter.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Anna Schmidt; granddaughter, Haley Severit; brother-in-law, Merrill “Joe” Ottwein.

Wanda is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Darwin Grotefendt; children, David “Dave” (Denise) Grotefendt, of Marine, IL; Lisa (Don Barnhart) Grotefendt, of St. Jacob, IL; Kent (Lynn) Grotefendt, of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Josh (Roxanne) Severit; Megan (Larrin) Johns; Ryan (Olivia Urban) Grotefendt; Christopher Grotefendt; Adam Grotefendt; great-grandchild, Zelcia Grotefendt; siblings, Richard (Susan) Schmidt; Grace Ottwein; nieces, nephews, and many loving friends.

Memorials can be made to the Marine United Church of Christ, Marine, IL

Visitation: Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, at Marine UCC, Marine, IL

Memorial Service: Saturday, November 16, 2024, 11:00 am, Marine UCC, Marine, IL

Interment at Marine Cemetery with lunch following at Marine UCC

Clergy: Pastor Phil Kershner

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL