Wanda Hovanec

Wanda lived a full life of great faith and dedication to the Catholic church and her family. She was a long-time resident of Cleveland and a member of St. Patrick's Church (Bridge Avenue). She retired from Leece-Neville in 1988, where she worked as an assembler, to join her husband on the family farm in Chatham, Ohio. She also held many other positions including assembly at Union Carbide and cooking at Chef Hector Boiardi (Boyardee) Restaurant in Cleveland and for The Humility of Mary sisters convent. She loved games (especially bingo), crafts, and riddles. She was an avid listener of polka music and a lover of Dove dark chocolate candy. She will be remembered for her strong resilience, independence, sense of humor, generosity, and beautiful smile.

Devoted daughter of the late Frank and Pauline Banas. Loving mother of Ralph (Terry), Mel (Ruthmarie), Ron (Julie), and Carol Rauch (Matt). Loving grandmother of Stacey Rubbo (Tony), Jason Hovanec, David (Nikolai), Scott (Ditta) and Erica Weyhe. Cherished great grandmother of Sophia Hovanec and Isabella Rubbo. Dear sister of Paul Banas (Dolores, deceased), and Patricia Pfenninger (Steve, deceased). Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her siblings Walter, Lucille Janowski (Bill), Carl (Lillian), Chester (Sophie), Joseph, Veronica Kovach (Tom), and Theresa Bielert and her sisters-in-law Elsie Kurfist (Willie) and Florence Hovanec.

In lieu of flowers, Wanda requested donations be made to Shriners Children's Hospital or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday April 9, 2025, from 4 pm - 7 pm at the A. RIPEPI AND SONS’ FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH 44130 (WEST OF I-71).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday April 10, 2025, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 250 Kraft Street, Berea, OH 44017 at 10 am (EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). Interment in Chatham, Ohio for immediate family.