Wilma Laurene (Heckman) Vanderree passed away Saturday, December 31, 2016, on her 96th birthday.

She was born to Hannah Gertrude (Clites) and Charles W. Heckman on December 31, 1920, near Uniontown, Ks.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald Vanderree, brother Charles Elmo (Irene) Heckman and sister Beulah (Les) Shore. Her brother Bob (Caroline) Heckman and sons Greg (Cara) and Randy (Wren) survive. Her grandchildren are: Randy's children, Riley, Landon, Hannah and Allie; and Greg's daughter, Tessa.

Coming of age during the Great Depression, Laurene often told stories of her family's grocery store and the many animals she loved. Her favorite was a white mare named Trixie. She left school after the 8th grade to help at home, then went to Wichita to become Rosie the Riveter during World War II. She attributed her thick, luxuriant hair to hanging upside down while bucking rivets inside B17's and B29's.

She then worked as a telephone operator before marrying Donald Vanderree and helping to run the family farm near Pierceville, Kansas.

Residing in Coldwater, Ks, the last few years to be near family, Laurene continued to create art and enjoy her dogs.

Funeral service is at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2017, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS. Graveside service is at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 2017, at Forest Park Cemetery in Anthony, KS, with Andrew Evans presiding.

Memorials are suggested to Ford County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1581, Dodge City, KS 67801.