Wauneta King

Wauneta Stoner King entered eternal life on the 4th of July 2020, her Independence Day. She was 93. Her daughter was with her when she peacefully went to Heaven. Wauneta May Stoner was born to Holly and Elta Stoner on February 26, 1927, in Palmyra, Nebraska. She was a 1944 graduate of Palmyra High School. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Betty June Stoner Bolz; her first husband, Dale Andersen, and their infant son; her second husband, B. F. "Shark" King and his grandson. Mrs. King is survived by her daughter Judy Andersen Perry and husband Kenneth, and her grandson Robert Perry of Alpine. Her extended family include the children of B. F. King: his son, Jerry King and wife Kathy; his daughter, Sabra King Gent; his grandchildren Stephen King and wife Helen; Trevor King and wife Mary Beth; Melissa Solomon and husband Paul; Crystal Coopenhaver and husband Jim; plus many great grandchildren. Wauneta lived most of her life in Texas. She worked as a telephone operator in Lincoln, Nebraska during World War II. She married Dale Andersen in 1946. They moved to the oil fields of West Texas in 1954 and lived near Midkiff and Rankin. They moved to Midland in 1965 and to Ogden, Iowa in 1969. She returned to Midland in 1971. She worked for Southwest Labs in Midland for several years. She married Shark King in 1975. They owned and managed an apartment complex in Midland, then retired to Llano in 1986. She had lived in Alpine since 1993, and most recently resided in Ashton Medical Lodge under the care of Hospice of Midland. Wauneta was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Alpine. She was a member of the Paisano Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her 5th great grandfather Abraham Steiner emigrated from Switzerland about 1717. Her 3rd great grandfather, Christian Stoner (1758-1814), was a patriot of the American Revolution born in Pennsylvania. Her great grandfather, Henry Stoner (1823-1900), homesteaded in Nebraska. Her father, Holly Stoner (1893-1968), served in France during World War I. The museum volunteer of the year award was presented to Mrs. King for twenty years of service to the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine. Other volunteer activities over the years include the Alpine Family Crisis Center Thrift Store, Alpine Sunshine House Senior Center, Alpine Library Re-Reads Store, Big Bend Regional Medical Center, and the Alpine Valley Care Nursing Home. As a musician and watercolor artist, Wauneta shared her talents widely. She played the piano from her youth, gave piano lessons, and played for Churches in Palmyra, Midkiff, Rankin and Llano. She often volunteered her time playing piano in Nursing Homes and Senior Centers in Llano and Alpine. She loved playing jazz and the big band music of the 1940s. She played clarinet in high school and in a dance band. For twenty years she played clarinet in the Alpine Community Band and their annual 4th of July Concert in the Park. Wauneta took up watercolors in her middle years and her work was featured in exhibits when she was in her 80s. She sold some and gave many paintings to friends and family. She painted bookmarks which she donated through the local hospital and library and mission programs to China and South America. She crocheted numerous baby blankets for donation through the local hospital. A memorial service for Wauneta King will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Alpine in the future when circumstances permit. Her ashes will be interred in Unadilla Cemetery, Unadilla, Nebraska where four generations of her family are buried. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Alpine, Sunshine House of Alpine, Hospice of Midland, or the charity of your choice.

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Wauneta King

February 26, 1927 - July 4, 2020