January 31, 1947 – January 6, 2021
Loretta Sharon Wickenhauser was born in Poplar Bluff, MO on January 31, 1947 to Oscar William and Mary Celestia Smith of Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on January 6, 2021 as a resident of Stonebridge Health Campus in Bedford, IN.
Raised in Dexter, MO, Loretta was a member of the Dexter Church of Christ and later the Bernie Church of Christ.
Loretta was a Dexter resident until 2005 when she moved to Indiana to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She enjoyed many years working in hospitality at Santa’s Lodge in Santa Claus, IN until retirement when she moved to Bedford to be closer to her daughter.
Loretta was a social person and kind to everyone she met. She battled breast cancer in 2009 and as a result of the care she received, Loretta devoted her spare time to volunteering at the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center.
Thank you to the staff at Stonebridge Health Campus for the care and support throughout her stay. As a resident there she enjoyed interacting with staff and playing hallway bingo.
Loretta is survived by one daughter Mary Braden and her husband Daniel of Bedford, IN; one son Mark Wickenhauser and fiancé Rose Morgan of Memphis, TN; one sister Pat Hessling and husband Ronnie of Dexter, MO and one brother Ishmael Smith of Dexter, MO. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Bethany Miller of Indianapolis, IN and Macy Miller of Bedford, IN, and also her great grand-dog Rosie Jane.
Loretta was preceded in death by her mother Mary Celestia and father Oscar Smith; two sisters, Betty Ruth and Ella Mae Smith, one brother Jim Smith and his wife Martha, and sister-in-law Angie Smith.
A private service will be held in Dexter Missouri at a later date. Cresthaven Funeral Home is entrusted with her care.
