DeAnna Dale (Wenner) Windh

     DeAnna Dale (Wenner Kline Nelson) Windh, lovingly known as “Mom,” passed away on May 19, 2026, at 4:03 a.m. at the age of 82. After suffering several significant health events she passed peacefully in her sleep.

     An early baby boomer, she was born on September 7, 1943, in Shippenville to the late Mary I. (Lewis) Rex and the late Dale A. Wenner, a veteran who passed in 1983. Her stepfather from early childhood was Ray Rex, and her late grandmother, Leona Anna Lewis, helped raise her in Pine City.

     DeAnna is survived by her siblings: Darla Nicklin (Richard), Chuck Rex (Tin), Sheila Rex, Jeff Rex (Karen), and Jamie Rex (Jaime).  Her in-laws were the late Freeman Kline and Mabel Kapp Kline Beichner, Donna Kline Lewis (John), the late Audene Kline Wingard (John), and the late Arnold (Arnie) Kline (Patty).  Mom also shared a close lifelong bond with cousins whom she considered siblings and best friends, including Jackie Dietz (Jack), James “Jim” Rex, and the late Beverly Strotman Cowatch. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews from the Dittman, Rex, Nicklin, Kline, Lewis, and Wingard families.

     She was predecessor by her first husband, James F. “Jim” Kline (1939–1975), who passed away from a cerebral aneurysm, leaving her to raise three young children on her own: Todd Kline, Anna “Annie” Leona Kline Endecott Goemer (Gregory), and Jodi van der Laan (John).

        DeAnna was proud of her children who served in the United States Coast Guard and United States Air Force. After military service they continued careers helping wildlife and people through conservation, law enforcement, and social work.

        In later years, Todd became his mother’s devoted caregiver, helping with difficult medical decisions, preparing meals and transporting her to appointments.

        DeAnna later married the late Cecil Nelson (USCG veteran) and then the late Stanley “Jack” Windh (Army veteran). Her stepchildren included William “Billy” Nelson, Ronald “Ronnie” Nelson, the late Jake Nelson, the late Art Nelson, Carl Windh, Tim Windh, and Stanley Windh.

     She dearly loved her grandchildren: JoAnna (Endecott Beck) Weismueller (Thomas), Jaime (Haining) Desales (Richard), and Jessica and Joshua van der Laan. She adored her great-grandchildren, Marisol and Elisar Desales.

     Over the years, she worked many jobs to support her family. She worked for C&K Coal Company as a blaster, drove school buses, worked in Washington State as a water treatment processor and truck driver, served as a counselor to troubled teens at Remann Hall, drove semi-trucks, and operated a small lumber mill. She earned her associate degree while in Tacoma, WA.

     DeAnna loved gardening, chain sawing, lawn mowing, flowers, trees, fishing, and deer hunting, even harvesting deer within the last five years. She never lived anywhere she did not improve with her own hard work. Mom’s property was Heaven on Earth to many with all the flowers and tree blossoms. She loved the cooking and brain game television shows.  She was a gifted storyteller who loved sharing memories of Pine City, the oil fields, horse and train rides, Uncle Scotty and Lindy, and the childhood adventures she shared with her cousins: Jackie Dietz and the late Beverly, Donnie, and Ronnie Strotman.

     One of her greatest passions was serving as a Pine City youth leader during the 1970s and later spending nearly 20 years teaching religious classes, preparing Sunday ceremonies, and preaching interactive sermons and Bible lessons. She proudly baptized her daughter Annie and granddaughter JoAnna in Alaska. Over the years, she visited hospitals and nursing homes to pray with people and share God’s word.

      DeAnna loved adventure and travel. She explored much of Alaska, including Kodiak, Ninilchik, Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Katmai National Park, Homer, Nikiski, and Denali National Park. She experienced the Northern Lights, brown and black bears, caribou, mountain goats, bison, musk ox, whales, sea otters, seals, and wolves stalking moose. She rafted the Kenai River, explored the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and reeled in massive halibut and salmon. She also cruised Alaska’s Inside Passage, viewing glaciers and abundant marine wildlife and eating Alaskan cuisine.  Mom traveled to beautiful Colorado and the majestic Rockies and overseas to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and surrounding areas. She truly lived a full and adventurous life beyond Pennsylvania.

       In her final years, she especially appreciated visits and conversations with family, friends, and church members. She worked hard to regain her speech following her strokes and enjoyed frequent phone calls with her daughter Annie. As her health declined, walking, hearing, writing, and communication became increasingly difficult. For someone who had always been very active and independent, losing those abilities was deeply frustrating and tear jerking for her. Yet, she remained determined and resilient.

       In the prime of her life, DeAnna was hardworking, God-fearing, generous, and caring. She often wore steel-toed boots to work while raising her children on her own. She freely gave her time, money, energy, and compassion to anyone in need. If she heard a family was struggling, she found a way to help.  She believed in paying forward good deeds, like when many people generously helped her after the death of her first husband James (Jim) Kline in 1975.

       May God remember DeAnna’s good deeds and welcome her with open arms into a place free of pain, weakness, and suffering.

       Her home church was Crossroads Church in Pine City on Millerstown Road in Shippenville, where she faithfully supported ministries that helped others. In lieu of flowers, honor her by making a donation to your favorite charitable organization.

      At her request there will be no service. Interment at Perry Chapel Cemetery will be with family at a later date.

     Arrangements are under the direction of the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc. of Knox.

     Online condolences may be sent to DeAnna's family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

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