Reta Ellen Cannella

Reta Ellen Jensen Cannella was born on March 9, 1935, in Mountain, Wisconsin, to Ellen Ruth Keesler Jensen and Elaf Leonard Jensen. She was their third child. She grew up and graduated from high school as valedictorian in Mountain and married her beloved husband and best friend, Benjamin Renee Cannella, on June 6, 1953. They had met in Chicago at summer camp, where Ben was the staff photographer and Reta helped her mother cook for the campers. After their first son, Michael, was born in Wisconsin, they moved to California, where their second son, Jeff, was born. Soon after they moved to Florida, where Ben joined the Air Force. They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Ben was stationed at Sandia Air Force Base, and the birthplace of their third son, David. Their next stop was Desenzano, Italy, where they lived for four glorious and exciting years during the Vietnam conflict. They returned to Albuquerque, and Ben retired from the Air Force a few years later. They built a home in Southlake, Texas, where Reta dabbled in real estate. Her true calling, and one she took great pride in, was “homemaker.” She loved her family and loved to cook. She frequently had a house full of people, all of whom would gathered ‘round her small table in the middle of the kitchen. Her family was always her joy. She died July 17, 2017, in Pantego, Texas, surrounded by her family. Her husband, Ben, predeceased her, as did her son, Michael Renee Cannella; her parents, Ellen and Elaf Jensen; and her brothers Walter and David Jensen. She is survived by her sons Steven Jeffrey Cannella and David Ross Cannella; her grandchildren, Anthony, Vincent, Steven, Emily, Lauryn, Chloe and Cole Cannella; her sister, Janet Reed; her brother, Leon Jensen; and many nieces and nephews. The family is forever grateful to her devoted nurse and friend Deanna Lakey and her longtime physician Dr. Udit Verma from UT Southwestern Medical Center. Memorials may be made to Abiding Grace Lutheran Church in Southlake, Texas. www.abidinggracedfw.org. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233