Obituaries - V

Vater, Agnes - Agnes "Nan" Vater went to her heavenly home Sept. 2, 2004.  She was born on July 5, 1908 in Scotland, the daughter of John and Agnes Elder.  She immigrated to the United States in 1929 and married Owen Paul Vater o Sept. 30, 1937 in Birmingham.   In 1940, the couple move to the Vater farm on M-61, then to the City of Standish in 1961.  Mrs. Vater was a lifelong member of the Gladwin Church of Christ, the Eastern Stars and the Rebekah Lodge.  She was an avid bowler until age 86.  Her passions were knitting, walking and playing cards with "the girls".  Time spent with her family, teaching valuable life lessons, and making memories always brought her great joy.  Mrs. Vater is survived by her daughter Violet Cook; son-in-law Donald (Jim) Rashott; six grandchildren, Kathy (Leonard) James, Donald (Aileen) Rashott, Karen (Marvin) LaBean, David Rashott and friend Kelly, Carrie Gardyszewski, Pam (Mark) Tekson; 14 great-grandchildren; and a huge extended family who filled her live with love and happiness.  She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; one brother; husband Owen; daughter, Margaret; step-daughter and husband Phyllis and George Trayer; and son-in-law,  Howard "Frank" Cook.  The family extends extreme gratitude to nurse, Mary and the staff of Hospice of Helping Hands.  Funeral services were held Sept. 7, from the Community United Methodist Church of Standish, with Pastor Tony Reynolds officiating.  Burial was at Woodmere Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Vater's name may be made to: Hospice of Helping Hands, 335 E. Houghton Ave., West Branch, MI  48661.  R.O. Savage Funeral Chapel of Standish handled the arrangements.  Arenac County Independent, September 8, 2004