Wanda Herrington Obituary

Wanda Della Lena (Wolfe) Herrington was born June 28, 1931 to Harold and Isabell (Klink) Wolfe in Rose, NE. The family lived in Rock County where she worked at the family café in the 1940’s. She had an older brother, Elmer and a little sister, Joanne who died at the young age of 18 months. Wanda attended Bassett Grade School and Rock County High School where she graduated in 1950. She was known to be an avid reader and boasted about reading every book in the library. She met Ray Herrington through Ray’s sister, Donna in front of the Drug Store in Bassett, NE. They were married May 16, 1950 at the Methodist Church in Ainsworth, NE. Dewayne and Donna Tasler were attendants at their wedding. They made their first home on Ray’s parents’ ranch near Brown Lake until they moved to their current home on the ranch in 1963.

Three children were born to Wanda and Ray: Joan Lela in 1951, Thomas Lee in 1952 and William Ray in 1954. All three graduated from Rock County High School. Wanda helped with the day-to-day running of the ranch, including all the cooking and the cleaning, helping with cattle and hayfield crew. Wanda and Ray spent time with many friends through the years attending rodeos, hunting coyotes, and gatherings. She kept a very tidy house and a beautiful yard and garden.

Wanda enjoyed reading her Bible, attending church activities, playing Rummikub or marbles with her grandkids, sewing, and making the best fried chicken in Rock County. She loved her barn cats, and the Hereford cattle of the +o Ranch. She was Heart behind the camera, a passionate photographer and recorded their lives and memories through photos and an 8mm video camera. Wanda and Ray loved attending grandchildren’s activities and events. Wanda was a faithful member of the Sybrant Community Church, where she taught Sunday School and was also a Summer Bible School teacher for many years.

Wanda passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Rock County Long Term Care among her family. She was a loved resident, getting the nickname “Long Legs” and giving out hugs to her caregivers.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Wolfe and Isabell Vargason; her brother, Elmer (Dorothy) Wolfe; her sister, Joanne Wolfe; son, Thomas Herrington; son-in-law, Eddie Davis; and in-laws, Dorothy (Frank) Nachtman, Donna (Dwayne) Tasler and Roy (Lotus) Herrington. Left to mourn her passing are family members, her husband of 75 years, Ray Herrington of Bassett; children, Joan (Abbie) Thorne of Adair, OK, and Bill (Becki) Herrington of Bassett; grandchildren, Shawna Skaggs of Kearney, NE, Shareen (Wade) Dearmont of Bassett, Delynn Plott of Bassett, Diann (Jeffrey) Thorne of Cleburne, TX, Beau (Shelly) Herrington of Bassett, Brenna (Eric) Kohle of Stuart, NE, John Herrington of CA and Thomas J. Herrington of Fort Wayne, IN. Wanda is also survived by great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Skaggs, Justin (Rachel), Dalton and Dalya Dearmont, Phillip, Clayton and Olivia Plott, Logan and Grace Thorne, Gage, Maci, Ryli and Coy Herrington, Jacob, Jett and Ty Kohle, and great-great-grandchildren, Paisley, Hadley, Bailey and Mathew Dearmont; niece, Terri (John) Peonio, children, Johnnie and Travis and extended family and friends.

Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the Bassett Methodist Church with Pastor Jenice Epp officiating at the event. Music was provided by Faye Smith with the congregation singing “Amazing Grace.” Casketbearers were: Kent Smith, Jerry Ammon, Scott Robinson, Dale Sybrant, Scott Boettcher and Ken Barnes. Honorary Casketbearers were: Her Many Beloved Friends & Neighbors. Interment followed in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Atkinson. Memorials were suggested to the Sybrant Community Church in Wanda’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfunerahome.com.