Wathena Baldus

Wathena Mae Baldus, 78, of Buckner, MO passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at her daughter’s home. Services will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 2-3:00 p.m. Burial will be in Buckner Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Wathena was born October 31, 1930 in Lawrence, KS to John Allen and Dora Laura (Hudson) Ireland. She was of Blackfoot, and Cherokee Indian heritage. Her life centered around her family. She loved her grandchildren dearly. Mrs. Baldus enjoyed fishing at the lake with her husband Bob. Wathena could always be found volunteering or participating in some type of fundraising. She was a lifetime member of the VFW #8101, active at the Buckner Senior Citizens Center, and the Buckner Fire department auxiliary when her husband was fire chief. She is survived by her children Bonnie Evilsizer and husband Walt, Linda Pottberg and husband Robert, Gary Smith and wife Patricia, Sherry Miller and husband Chip, Patsy McCulloch and husband Pat, Lisa Murphy and husband Audie; 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister LaVonne Beaudoin; brother Carl Ireland and wife Anita; sister-in-law Yogi Ireland. Wathena was preceded in death by her husband Bob Baldus in ’02, daughter Laura Wilcox; grandson Bryan Pottberg in ’99; and brother Marvin Ireland.