Glenna Mae VanAtta, age 101, of Wilton, passed away on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at The Birdhouse, Iowa City. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, at the United Methodist Church of Wilton. A visitation will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Church of Wilton or Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Glenna was born at home on March 21, 1925, the daughter of Harold and Etha (Doran) Wacker. She graduated from Wilton High School with the Class of 1943. On Aug. 17, 1947, she married Jack VanAtta in Bennett. Jack preceded her in death on May 23, 2009.
Glenna devoted her life to caring for others through a remarkable 65-year career in nursing. Following high school, she attended Mercy Hospital Nurses Training in Iowa City, where she became a Registered Nurse. During World War II, Glenna also served her country as a cadet nurse with the United States Army, answering the call to serve at a time when nurses were desperately needed.
Throughout her career, Glenna held numerous nursing positions throughout the Quad Cities area. She worked in Dr. Whetstine’s office, served as director of nursing at Lutheran Homes in Muscatine and the Wilton Retirement Community, worked with the Quad City Visiting Nurses Association, and later served as director of Heritage House in Davenport. She received specialized training in hospice care and was instrumental in helping bring in-home hospice care practices to the Quad City area. Her compassion, dedication, and commitment to her patients touched countless lives and left a lasting legacy in the communities she served.
Glenna was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Wilton, and most recently the United Methodist Church of Wilton. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, espe-cially making quilts. She took great pride in her handiwork, creating beautiful quilts that became treasured reminders of her love and care. Above all else, family was the most important part of Glenna’s life. She cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren, and extended family and treasured the many memories they made together.
Glenna will be lovingly remembered by four children, Deborah Laughlin of Rockford, Ill., Rebeckah Allgood of Wilton, Christine (George) Norenberg of Iowa City and William (Sandy) VanAtta of Wilton; 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Steve (Betty) Wacker; a sister-in-law, Jeanine Wacker; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Glenna was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; a grandson, Jarod Allgood; two sisters, Maureen Peeks and Anita Wyatt; and one brother, Harold Wacker, Jr.
Custom obituary