Our beloved MOM, Wanetta (Books) Rose left this life and went to join her family and many friends. Those of us left behind miss her a lot. Mom was born in Modesto, attended Modesto High and then Oakdale High School for two years. She was the first of her family to attend college. When World War II broke out, Mom went to the Bay Area with a friend to be “Rosie the Riveter” and joined the Navy. She was stationed at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York as a Disbursing Clerk for the duration. When the war ended, she returned to UC Berkeley and married William Rose. They moved to Sacramento where they continued their education. Wanetta was the first woman to graduate from Sacramento State’s school of business. She moved with her husband to Oregon so he could get his license as a Pharmacist. The Rose family started to grow in Corvallis, Oregon with daughter Patti. Son David was born in Albany, Oregon as William interned and pursued a Pharmacist’s license. The family returned to Modesto and four years later, son Mark was born. Wanetta was very active in family and school activities including Scouts, Band, school board, and Ceres Western Art show. She loved to sew, play bridge, learn new crafts, travel to see new places and was a great cook.
She became a Probation Officer for Stanislaus County in 1968. Amazingly, while working full time and getting her children to school activities, she was able to get her Master’s Degree in Correctional Counseling attending night classes in Stockton. Wanetta retired in 1997 and continued to be active in the community – serving on the Grand Jury, participating in school district reorganization, busy at the Senior Center, volunteering for the Ceres Western Art show, organizing the OUHS Class of ’41 reunions, meeting with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and participating in First United Methodist Church. Wanetta outlived all of her siblings. She was preceded in death by Katherine Gray, Viola Lee Howe and Lloyd “Sonny” Books.
At Mom’s request, she was buried at Modesto Citizens’ Cemetery and the family will be hosting a Celebration of Life luncheon in the Fellowship Hall at the First United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 15 at 11:30 a.m. The church is located at 16th & I Streets, Modesto. Please come to share stories and experiences you had with our many talented and experienced Mom. Worship is from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. if you choose to attend. In lieu of flowers please know that Mom supported the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the Heifer Project, and the First United Methodist Church.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
May 11, 2016