Waltraud Maria Neff

Waltraud Maria Neff, of Oak Harbor, OH, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2024, and is now in God’s home. Waltraud was born June 2, 1947, in Kaiserslauten, Germany, to Helena (Wagner) and Christian Bendle. Waltraud was 13th out of 14 brothers and sisters. She was very proud of her heritage and made sure everyone knew her birth name, but close friends and family knew her as Maria.

Waltraud married her “favorite dance partner”, Elba Neff from Port Clinton, OH, on April 19, 1964, while he was stationed in German. They continued to live in Kaiserslauten until his deployment later that year where they moved to the states and resided in Port Clinton, OH. They were married 38 years and were blessed with a daughter and a son. She taught herself English through watching T.V., reading the newspaper and her family. On September 15, 2000, she became a citizen of the United States. Waltraud was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and caretaker throughout her whole life. Her most cherished time was spent with her children and grandchildren. Everywhere Waltraud went she left her mark with her kindness and smile. She will be remembered for always putting family first and was willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed it. Waltraud was a giver, and she was always buying and giving people things out of necessity or just out of pure kindness. She would often venture out shopping and loved getting bargains at local thrift stores and garage sales. She enjoyed knowing what was going on around her community and reading the daily paper, but her true hobby was her love for her flower garden. You would always see her out tending to her garden and adding just one more garden light or decoration. She took pride in its beauty and smiled when others told her she had the best flower garden. She loved God and leaned on him for support throughout her life.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband and numerous brothers and sisters, Waltraud’s memory is honored by her devoted children, Heidy (Burdine) and Chris (Deb) Neff; her grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Matthew, and Joshua; her great-grandchildren, Isabella and Colton; and many other family and friends.

Friends and family may be received from 10:00am-12:00pm on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Robinson-Walker Funeral Home – Oak Harbor, 165 E. Water Street, Oak Harbor, Ohio. A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm, following visiting hours. Interment will take place at Union Cemetery after services. Funeral arrangements for Waltraud were made in the care of Robinson-Walker Funeral Home – Oak Harbor. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com