Janet Rita Wataha, aged 89, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully June 28, 2024, at home.
Born to parents Martha and Edward Sosnoski on March 27, 1935, in Dickinson City, PA she attended schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with her sister Pearl and brother Kenneth until graduating from Perth Amboy High School with the class of 1953.
She was married to Clarence ‘Clay’ Wataha on July 10, 1954, and moved to Manhattan when Clay was stationed at Ft. Riley. The newlywed couple fell in love with Manhattan and stayed after Clay was discharged from the Army.
Janet was a homemaker and a childcare provider while her kids were young and happily served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She later graduated from Crum’s Beauty School earning a cosmetology license and joining Shirley Staples at The Charm Shop hair salon where she made many lifelong friends. After 11 years she left the salon to partner with Clay and their son David in numerous businesses until she retired.
In 1979 Janet and Clay built their dream home in west Manhattan where she enjoyed living with her animals (especially her Peafowl), wildlife and nature. She loved riding horses, waterskiing at Tuttle Creek Lake, and working in her greenhouse. Each week she looked forward to meeting her friends at Seven Dolors Church and catching up on the news. Her life was full, and she loved her family dearly.
Janet is survived by daughter Darlene, son-in-law Michael (Redwood City, CA) her brother Ken Sosnoski and his wife Carol (Conway, SC), sister-in-law Mary Wataha (Manhattan) and many beloved nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. She is preceded in death by husband Clay, son David, daughters Mary and Ann and sister Pearl.
A service to celebrate Janet’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday July 11, 2024, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel in Manhattan. A private inurnment will be held at Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.
The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Janet to Riley County Humane Society. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.