Wanetta Irene Kestner

Wanetta I. “Teddi” Kestner, 99, passed away peacefully in her sleep March 2, 2025. She was born in Rochester, Indiana on February 3, 1926, to Edith Bryant and Earl Neher. Her mother later married Otis Hagan.

Teddi graduated high school and married her high school sweetheart, Malcolm Kestner, in November 1945. Malcolm was enlisted in the U.S Navy, stationed in Rhode Island, where the newlyweds honeymooned. They then lived in Rochester, where their first child, Conie, was born. Next, they moved to Mishawaka, where Malcolm worked for Studebaker. Their second child, Mark, was born there.

Then in 1957, the family moved to Fort Wayne where Malcolm worked for International Harvester. When their children were teens, Teddi started working as a bookkeeper for Stillmans in South Gate Plaza. She eventually changed jobs and went to work for Sears in their office. During these years, she and Malcolm (Doc) took dancing lessons and played bridge with their neighbor friends. In 1985, after enjoying many vacations in Florida, they sold their house and moved there. During the next 18 years, they enjoyed the beautiful weather and wonderful times together. They took clogging lessons, painting class, bike rides, and may rounds of golf. Their son and wife also moved to Florida. The four of them spend lots of time together at the beach, taking nature walks, playing games and having meals together.

They also entertained their daughter and two grandchildren for 2 weeks every Christmas. They really enjoyed going to church and visiting their favorite restaurants. They also went on several cruises, which was a highlight.

Then, when Malcolm died in 2005, Teddi moved back to Fort Wayne to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She loved her condo, keeping it well-decorated and orderly. She enjoyed working outside and had lots of flowers to keep watered. She loved to cook. She loved her two cats, Sammy and Luna.

She also loved going places with her daughter and the Elderberries. She loved going to see Willie Nelson at the Embassy Theater. Teddi and her daughter (and sometimes Mark) played golf together. She loved Zestos ice cream cones. She looked forward to playing bridge with the Four Gems once a month. She also liked going to lunch with her granddaughter to the Oyster Bar or Wu’s. She also enjoyed spending time with her condo neighbor, sitting on their patio having a martini, relaxing and playing games with “Twerp”.

Teddi loved playing all kinds of cards and always played when there were family gatherings. One of her favorite hobbies was fishing, which she learned from her mother and continued all her life. She celebrated her 99th birthday at the Towne House, where she lived her final days.

She is survived by her daughter, Conie (Tom) McCoy, son, Mark (Mary) Kestner, four grandchildren, Josh (Emily) Kestner, Emily Butler, Amy Becker and Chris (Rachel) McCoy and 12 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Teddi was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and several aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home- Covington Knolls, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, at 11:30 AM, with a Memorial Gathering prior to the service from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. A luncheon will be held at the funeral home after the interment at Covington Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Fort Wayne.