Winifred Joy "Winnie" Wertz

Winifred "Winnie" Joy (Wachter) Wertz, age 84, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan passed away on January 16, 2024.
Her life began on August 2, 1939, in Naubinway, Michigan, to William "Bill" Henry and Ellaree Joy (Davenport) Wachter. Winnie's story continued in Marquette, Michigan, where she graduated from Marquette High School. She earned her Diploma in Nursing and worked as an LPN. Eventually, life brought her back to Marquette with her three daughters and she worked at St. Mary's Hospital. Several years later she and her daughters moved to Cadillac, Michigan. She had a dream of running an Adult Foster Care home, which she eventually fulfilled, owning and operating the Brightwood Adult Foster Care Home. Winnie met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) C. Wertz, and they married on June 23, 1990. She and Bob continued their lives in Cadillac raising his three daughters. Bob worked as an Associate Pastor at the Cadillac First Baptist Church and helped Winnie run the Adult Foster Care home for more than eight years. They moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in 2005 and have continued to live there to be closer to family. Winnie, ever the loving big sister, took in her younger brother Gary and was his primary caregiver and partner in crime, for over twenty-six years.
Winnie had a love for the Lord and an unshakeable faith knowing Jesus was her savior. She was a member of several church communities throughout her life- Calvary Baptist Church in Sault Ste. Marie, First Baptist Church in Cadillac, The Marion Community Church and the Hulbert Missionary Baptist Church. Winnie, named Mish Kwan E Kwet Do Kwe (Red Cloud Woman) by the tribe healer, was an Elder in the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and embraced her Native American Heritage. Also a lover of history, she took pride in being the great-great-granddaughter of Yankee Rebel Ambrose R. Davenport from Mackinac Island (Daughters of the American Revolution). She was a fierce woman with strength and courage which helped her through any adversity she faced throughout her life. We know she is in Heaven watching over us with all of those who have gone before her.
Winnie loved her girls and all of her grandchildren- calling herself the "Granny Nanny". They all brought immeasurable joy to her heart. Her interests abounded-she was always ready for an adventure or traveling, she loved reading good books, crocheting, the water, collecting teddy bears, gardening, and going to Rotary Park with Bob to watch the boats (of course while enjoying a shrimp basket from Clyde's Drive-In.)
Winnie is survived by her husband, Robert; daughters, Carol Murphy, Melanie (Bret) Homer, Roberta Tschirhart, Rebekah (Steve) Wauck, Jennifer (David) Wilson, and Bethany Miller; grandchildren, Analise (Cody) Frazier, Mackensie (Vicki) Murphy, Austin Tschirhart, Katey Homer, Drew Homer, Genesis Wilson, David Wilson, Grace Wilson, Peityn Miller, Gabriel Wauck and one on the way; and finally her great-grandchildren, Bellamy & Sullivan Frazier, and Anson Murphy. Her brothers, Richard (Betty) Wachter, and Carrolle Gene "Geno" Wachter; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Winnie was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ellaree; and brothers, Donald (Lois) Wachter, Robert "Cy" (Genevieve) Wachter, and Gary Wachter.
A family Memorial Gathering will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The public Memorial service will follow at 12:00 Noon. A light luncheon will be provided after the service.
Should friends or family desire, monetary gifts may be sent to Bob via Venmo @ Robert-Wertz-24 ( last 4 digits of his phone number are 3833) to help with expenses during this time. Condolences may also be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.
Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.