Amelia Dorothy Wassner, 94, died Saturday, November 26, 2016, at her home in Carson City, Nevada.
She was preceded in death by her husband William R. Wassner who died in 1991. She leaves behind a son, Stephen R. Wassner of Carson City, Nevada (wife Karen L. Hinton) and daughter, Daphne E. Girod of Glenbrook, Nevada; two grandchildren, Celeste M. Benedict of Fernley, Nevada (husband Gary L. Benedict) and William J. Girod of Keizer, Oregon (wife Courtney L. Girod); and three great-grandchildren, Annaliese M. Benedict and Gary A. Benedict of Fernley, Nevada and William L. F. Girod of Keizer, Oregon.
Amelia was born October 10, 1922 in Niles, Ohio to parents Stevo and Draginja (Vrga) Momcilovich. At the time of her birth, her father was working for the railroad and she was born in a railroad car that had been converted to housing. She grew up in Lordstown, Ohio and then Detroit, Michigan, graduating in 1939 from Southeastern High School. In Detroit, she worked for her father at his butcher shop and beer garden. Her family moved to Fontana, California in 1939 where she worked for Kaiser Steel during the War years. She was the executive secretary for the superintendent of the general construction division. After the War, she worked for the Veterans Administration in San Bernardino where she helped returning soldiers file for benefits. It was here that she met her future husband, William R. Wassner.
William and Amelia were married on June 13, 1948 in San Bernardino. William was in the Air Force. As a military family, they lived many places, including Germany, England, California, Oklahoma, Maryland, South Carolina and Illinois. Amelia spoke four languages – English, Serbian, German and Spanish – which came in handy when they were stationed in Germany during the Berlin Airlift. She was able to converse with locals as well as help translate for others.
Amelia loved to travel and travelled with her children across Europe and the United States. She instilled her love for travel in them.
In Washington, D.C., she enjoyed attending many Embassy parties when William was a pilot who flew foreign dignitaries. She was creative and enjoyed woodworking, as well as making her own hats, shoes and clothing. She was also a volunteer gray lady at several Air Force hospitals, served as a Cub Scout den mother, a Girl Scout leader, an active school parent, and PTA member, helped with activities of the Children of the American Revolution organization and volunteered for the Red Cross. Amelia was a member of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Reno and loved volunteering to work in the kitchen at the Greek Festival, making baklava.
In 1984 at the age of 62, her children and husband having completed their education, she decided to go back to school. She attended Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California and completed an associate of arts degree in interior design. She enjoyed going to college and especially enjoyed her conversations with the young students who were her classmates.
Amelia loved her family and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her great happiness.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 4-7 p.m., at Fitzhenry’s Funeral Home, 3945 Fairview Drive in Carson City. A service is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Circle Committal Room at Mountain View Cemetery, 435 Stoker Avenue in Reno (next to the Mountain View Office) with Father Stephen Karcher of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church officiating. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery will follow the service.