Myra Gatten

VISITATION:

10-11 a.m., Saturday, September 28 at Mae Rowan Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health, 2815 County Hwy I, Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Saturday, September 28 at Mae Rown Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health, 2815 County Hwy I, Chippewa Falls.

Myra Margaret Gatten, 95, of Chippewa Falls, passed away, Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at Wissota Health & Regional Vent Center in Chippewa Falls under the care of St. Josephs Hospice.

She was born October 16, 1917 in North Fond du Lac the daughter of Martha (Vicker) and Harry Jaquith. She grew up near Shearer Lake, living in a tent before the cabin was built a year later. After graduating from Westboro High School in 1935, she attended the Milwaukee Business College.

Myra married Dennis Gatten on September 5, 1937 in the garden at Shearer Lake. They lived in Milwaukee, Stevens Point and later settled in Chippewa Falls in 1941. While raising their three children, she worked in the office at Mason Shoe for 27 years, retiring in 1980.

Myra was a member of Zion United Methodist Church since 1994. She was active in the church and served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and as a mentor in an elementary school. After retirement Myra enjoyed traveling to various warm destinations throughout the United States.

Following the death of her husband, Dennis, she married Charles Smack on May 13, 1998.

Highlights of her retirement years were centered around family gatherings, walking through Irvine Park and Lake Wissota State Park, fishing on Lake Wissota, golfing, walking the Florida beaches and entertaining neighbors and friends.

Survivors include two children, Karen (Bill) Lea of Chippewa Falls, Joan (Vern) Schneider of Helena, Montana; seven grandchildren, Tom (Sarah), Mike (Cathy) and Dan (Jacey) Lea, Kelly and Todd (Denise) Wohlbier, Brett (Julie) Schneider and Leia (Mike) Lins; eight great-grandchildren, Alissa, Randi, Andy, Lauren and Nick Lea, Richard Wohlbier and Amanda (Travis) Braun, Gracie, Haley and Joey Lins and one great-great-grandson, Sullivan Braun . She is further survived by Charlies family; sons, Dan (Sheila) and Darwin (Debbie) Smack and daughter, Darlene (Larry) Larson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Martha Jaquith; her husbands, Dennis Gatten and Charles Smack; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Richard Wohlbier; and a brother, Neil Jaquith.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 28 the Mae Rowan Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health in Chippewa Falls. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Saturday at Mae Rowan Chapel.

AFTERSERVICE:

A memorial service for Myra M. Gatten, 95, of Chippewa Falls, was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 28 at the Mae Rowan Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health in Chippewa Falls. Pastors Greg Harrell and Paul Foulke officiated and music was provided by Judy Brist. Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.