Erin DeWeese
Grandma. The word can not truly describe what our grandparents mean to us. She always displayed strength but also held so much love in her heart. I will never forget the time I spent with her and grandpa in the desert. She could whip up enough food to feed an army but it was always so good you could not believe it didn't take her all day to make. Watching her and grandpa on a daily basis is one of the things that inspired me to wait and find my "true love" and lifelong partner. I will never forget those precious years and the influence they still have on my daily life. I know that she is looking down on us and wishes nothing but the best for each one of us.
Thank you grandma for all that you taught me.
Your grandson, Erin DeWeese
Jerry Holcombe
After being rained out while camping on the North Umqua Mom and Dad thought it only natural to go to see Grandma and Grandpa Wantland in Kerby Oregon. Grandma went with us to bull frog ponds, the Oregon Caves and Sailors Diggins and old gold mining site one of the church members looked over.Grandma watched over all 4 of us with with grace, kindness , and never a cross or negative word. For me it was the dragging out of the pastels and her encouragement of my art work that I remember the most. Some things stick and keep on helping you throughout your life, they are the things that God gives you through special people like Mae Wantland.When I meet the Lord face to face I plan to thank Him for the Wantlands, walking miricles in our lives.
Joanne Holcombe
Dearest Ones-----
I want you all to know how much the “Wantland Family” has meant to me.
First of all, there aren’t words or time to tell what an influence they have been.
I met the Wantlands in 1950 when I was taken taken to their home (the church parsonage) by friends (The Martins) for help. I left my family and was headed out on my own to live in the woods until I found my father. I had made a choice to follow the Lord and find a better place for myself and my two sisters to live. Many years of “Child abuse” had to come to an end! Authorities were called and I ended up staying with the Wantlands. They and the church saw me thru a long and painful court trial and my sisters were placed in a foster home for girls in Corvallis, OR. Wantlands offered to continue to care for me and were given State Custody.
I saw love and comfort and prayers that I cherished for many years to come. I was with them for only a year and a half and they moved to a church in Eastern Oregon. The State placed me with a cousin in Tigard, Oregon and I finished my Junior year in High School there. I met my husband, William Holcombe when I had turned eighteen years of age and we decided to get married. I was a “Ward”of the Court” so I wrote the Judge in Grants Pass and got a release to be on my own. Rev. Dad Wantland was the minister at our wedding. Mom Wantland made my wedding dress. My husband was still in the Coast Guard so we delayed our honeymoon, plus----where do you go with no money? Wantlands called us from Eastern Oregon and asked us to join them on a trip to Wallowa Lake as a gift for our new time together. Dona and David were really great to have with us! We went hiking, boating and campfire memories. We continued to visit them and grandma and grandpa Taylor (grama W’s parents) who lived nearby. We took our oldest, Skip and later Jerry with us to play in the irrigation ditches on inner tubes and lots of time to just enjoy each other.
Wantlands later moved to the Portland area where we lived and my husband found grandpa Don a job working in a friend’s Service Station. Then the Wantlands moved to California. We tried to visit at least once a year. The years flew by and they later moved to the desert. We visited when we could.
We sold our home of 38 years in Tigard, Oregon where we had raised three boys (Skip,Gerald, Steven) and our daughter, Linette June, and moved to the Oregon Coast. My husband retiring early from teaching at the College due to illness. The Wantlands visited us every summer for many years. In Tigard, Oregon and on the Coast. We were more like “hooked at the hip” in loving and feeling each others daily cares. I lost my husband in 2000 and my girlfriend’s husband, Rev. Buster Martin and David were in charge of the Funeral. I moved back to Portland Oregon and later settled in Tennessee to be near my daughter in my later years. My son, Skip lives with me now and is a daily blessing to me.
No one could have planned my life any better had they had the chance. God was in Charge!! Thank you Mom for your patience with a mixed up, very emotional teenager when you had duties of a pastor’s wife and mother of David and Dona. Our later years together will be cherished. You and Dad Wantland were”Special” grandparents to my children!! Yes, sometimes it does only take one person to change a Village!!!!!
I love you Mom. XXOO See you UP There!!!
Joanne Holcombe
Lance Wantland
It’s difficult to reflect on the precious time we spent with Grammy without including Grandpa because they were always as one.
So many special times were spent visiting them in Porterville which often included a trip through the majestic Redwood’s in Sequoia National Park. Among one of my favorite memories was our vacation with Grammy and Grandpa at the Umpqua River with the Holcomb’s, so many memories were created that week that will be with us forever.
She gave us constant reminders of her love for us in the crotched afghans on our beds and slippers on our feet, and the beautiful clocks hanging on our walls, ever watching out over us.
Besides sharing her love of the Lord, the greatest life lesson she taught me was that you’re never too old to learn, grow, and reinvent your life by finding a new adventure.
While she will be missed by those who stay behind, she now rests in the loving arms of her life-long husband and loving God. Love is eternal, but she will never be forgotten
Your Loving Grandson,
Lance
Linette June Holcombe - Robertson
My own brother Steve said it so well, yes she was the ultimate Grandmother. My young life was full of summers at My Grandmother and Grandfathers homes in California. Many a drive between Oregon and California I remember Grandma staying on top of Grampa asking " Don, your not falling asleep are you?" Stopping for breakfast I ordered french toast. Stopping for lunch I ordered french toast. Stopping for dinner, Grandma said " don't even think about it!" Looking out for my best interests. Trips to Catalina island and hanging with my cousins, aunt and uncle have been and still remain the building block of my life. Thank you for loving me.
Your Grandaughter June
Steve Holcombe
My Grandmother... Never would have I have ever thought she was anything but My pure Blood god given Grandmother... She was full of grace, purely forgiving and totally supportive.
She kept my Grandfather in ship shape and has now joined him to make sure he has made room for all of us in our resting place!
We love you and wish to see you again soon.
Your Grandson… Steve Holcombe
