Willadene C Mack

Willadene Carol (Netz) Mack (85), of Independence, Missouri, passed into the care of our Lord on Thursday, March 14, 2024. She was born October 27, 1938 in Independence Missouri, to Charles E. and Elizabeth Alice (Lloyd) Netz. She was raised in the Reorganized Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now Community of Christ. Willadene’s ancestry on her mother’s side can be traced to the very beginnings of the church.

Willadene grew up in and loved her home town of Independence, Missouri. The eldest of six children, she grew up quickly with great responsibilities. It was always said that their home on Allen Road was a haven to all. She graduated from North East High School in 1956. In 1962 she enlisted into the Air Force and served her four-year tour of duty in Tacoma Washington, extending her service for a year in Hawaii. Before and after her service in the AF, she worked secretarial positions at various places, including the Independence Sanitarium and at the RLDS Auditorium.

After leaving Hickman AFB in 1967, Willadene met Lewis G Mack through his sister and they were married on June 16, 1968 at her home congregation, Spring Branch Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They made their home in Kansas City, Kansas. She inherited two step children who she loved and raised.

Willadene was very active in her congregation, Bethel RLDS (now Community of Christ), and taught preschool there for 4 years. When the church began to ordain women in the mid 1980s, Willadene was then ordained to the office of Elder at Bethel congregation in 1989. Her church life, family and friends were always so important to her.

Nothing made Willadene happier than spending time with her grandchildren and her niece and nephew whenever she could. Her love of children brought her to further her education and so she earned a teaching degree from Park College on May 11, 1991 and afterward taught school for a number of years.

Willadene and Lewis loved the travel that his job at TWA afforded them, traveling to several countries in Europe. They especially enjoyed their trips to see her brother’s family in Germany. They moved from their farmhouse in KCK and then lived for several years at Chrystal Lakes, MO but after Lewis passed, she moved back to Independence where she attended Beacon Heights Community of Christ congregation.

Willadene was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, her brothers Stephen R. Netz and Charles E Netz, Jr (Samuel, Daniel) and sister Donna Sue Manser (Kelly, Robert, Todd)

She is survived by her sister, Bonnie Brestle and husband Ed (Julie, Heather), brother, Dennis Netz (Isaac, Keely), step-children, Linda Duhamel and husband Larry (April), Pamela (Mack) Maguire and husband Scott (Tara, Aileen, Joseph, Brady) and Donald Mack, eight great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Newcomers Noland Road Chapel, Independence. A celebration of life service will begin at 1 p.m. with grave side to follow at Mound Grove Cemetery.

Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.nolandroadchapel.com.

Memorial donations may be made to Outreach Int. https://outreach-international.org/ or to Good Shepherd Hospice, Olathe https://www.goodshepherdhospice.com/.