Hertha C. Mannell

Hertha Mannell (July 28, 1933 – January 27, 2023).  Hertha was born in the Bronx, New York to Lotte (nee Weinert) and Oscar Straka.  With her mother passing at a young age, Hertha and her younger brother Ronald were raised in the tradition of their parents’ German roots by Oscar and her stepmom, Amalie (nee Kilian).

A graduate of St. John’s University, Hertha’s early career brought her to General Foods in Tarrytown, NY where she met her future husband, Wesley.  Married in 1965, Hertha and Wes adopted two children at birth:  Matthew in 1968 and Maryann in 1973.  Active members and Eucharistic ministers at the parish of St. Peter the Apostle, she raised her family in River Edge, NJ until their retirement in 1995.  During those years she continued most of her career as a Sensory Analyst for the Thomas J Lipton company, while active in many community and church related societies.

After their time in River Edge, Hertha and Wes spent their retirement years initially in Fort Pierce, FL then in Loveland, CO before finally settling back on the Gulf coast in Spring Hill FL in 2014.  In retirement, Hertha enjoyed cruises, gardening, and was a prolific talent in crafting activities ranging from quilting to making her own greeting cards for every imaginable family milestone. 

Hertha is predeceased by her parents Amalie and Oscar, her brother Ronald, and her niece, Melissa.  She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Wesley, her son Matthew and his wife Lara, her daughter Maryann and her husband Bill Morgan, her niece Kristen Barlow (nee Straka) as well as three grandchildren:  William Morgan III (20), Xaia Mannell (12), and Axton Mannell (10).

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