GARRETT —American flags flew over dozens of headstones in Christian Union Cemetery on June 2.
It was only fitting that Buelta (Fenstermaker) Anderson, 85, be laid to rest amid the field of red, white and blue shortly after Memorial Day.
The World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy died May 28 in her Garrett home.
Although she rarely spoke of her years in the service, it was no secret that she was among a group of women who worked behind the scenes to crack codes for naval intelligence.
Buelta Fenstermaker enjoyed playing in the band at Garrett HIgh School, and was a drum major her junior and senior years. Shortly after graduation in 1942, she worked for General Electric in Fort Wayne, building airplane engines on the assembly line.
It was that summer that President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law a bill to form the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). The 25th-member of her high school class to join the military, Buelta was among 12 area women sworn into the WAVES in Fort Wayne about a year later.
"She wanted to go into the service, and her dad (Arna Fenstermaker) signed the papers to go in the service," said Buelta's daughter, Tammy Bowman of Garrett. "At that time, many area women were going into the service."
Recruitment needed to be managed, because so many women were interested in joining the WAVES. More than 27,000 recruits reportedly were fitted for the specially designed, navy-blue woolen uniforms during its first year.
Buelta left her GE job and took a train that November for the Hunter College in the New York borough of the Bronx. The college facility provided basic training for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard women recruits.
She was stationed in Washington, D.C., after basic training, where she worked in a communications office. It was in these offices that Buelta and other WAVES worked on deciphering series of numerical codes important to the defense of the United States.
"They used a computer as big as this house," Bowman said. "And they were working with numbers. They decoded documents, but we never told what they were.
"(Buelta) was sworn to a code of silence, and she took it to her grave," she added. "All mom said was they worked with numbers."
Buelta and her coworkers wouldn't know when they broke a code until commanders came in and gave them a commendation. "I think it had to do with the Pacific," said Bowman. Others in her group also received citations.
When she returned to Garrett in 1946, Buelta married classmate Paul Anderson, who was a tailgunner in the U.S. Air Corps. The couple had four children, including son Mike, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, who also lives in Garrett. The couple also had two sons who preceded her in death, Mark and Martin Anderson.
Three representatives from the U.S. Navy — two men and a female officer — were present for Buelta's graveside military honors.
"I was just floored," Bowman said of the Navy representatives. "I was hoping (they would be there).
Buelta's casket was draped with the American flag, as members of the Garrett American Legion post offered a military salute.
"It was Memorial Day weekend, and it was very pretty — the cemetery full of flags," said granddaughter Brea Anderson Liddell. "I think she would have really liked that, and the Navy officers, especially the woman.
"(Buelta) was very, very proud of what she was involved with the service — and the whole evolution of women becoming involved in World War II. She was very proud of the fact that she was one of the frontrunners on that," Liddell said.
"My mother was a trailblazer, like most of the women of that time," Bowman said. "Thanks to all of them, women today have more opportunities and choices than ever before.
"Every time I meet a woman veteran, I thank her for what they have done for our country and for what they have done for women."
During her two-year stint in Washington, D.C., Buelta and her Navy friends often took the train to New York City. They took the train everywhere, Bowman said. "Oh, they had lots of fun!"
She and her friends always wanted to see the Radio City Hall Rockettes, but it was too expensive to go on the salaries they earned as WAVES. Her daughter recalls having to watch every time the Rockettes were on television.
"When the Rockettes came to Fort Wayne last November, I took her," Bowman said. "(Mom) was just beside herself. We had wonderful seats — it was something she wanted to do all her life. Afterward, I was so glad I did it. She was a young lady (again) that whole night."
-------------------------------------------------------------
GARRETT —Buelta A. "Fensie" Anderson, 85 of Garrett died at 1:24 a.m. Friday, May 28, 2010. She was born Oct. 10, 1924, in Garrett to Arna and Candace (Cosper) Fenstermaker and they preceded her in death. She married Paul C. Anderson on October 6, 1946, in Garrett and he died October 6, 1971.
She was a WW II Navy veteran.
Buelta was a packer at Stanadyne Distribution Div. — Garrett for 22 years, retiring in 1988. She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Garrett American Legion. She was also a member of Sigma Phi Gamma and a past member of the Order Of the Eastern Star.
Buelta is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Tamara J. and Terry Bowman of Garrett; and a son and daughter in-law, James "Mike" and Linda Anderson of Garrett. She is survived by seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Buelta was preceded in death by her husband, Paul C. Anderson; twin sons, Mark and Martin Anderson; and a sister, Dorothy Walker.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at Thomas Funeral Home, Garrett and from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Garrett. The services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jeffrey Horn officiating. Burial will follow in Christian Union Cemetery, Garrett, with military graveside services by the U.S. Navy and the Garrett American Legion and VFW.
Memorials are to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
KPC News
May 29, 2010
It was only fitting that Buelta (Fenstermaker) Anderson, 85, be laid to rest amid the field of red, white and blue shortly after Memorial Day.
The World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy died May 28 in her Garrett home.
Although she rarely spoke of her years in the service, it was no secret that she was among a group of women who worked behind the scenes to crack codes for naval intelligence.
Buelta Fenstermaker enjoyed playing in the band at Garrett HIgh School, and was a drum major her junior and senior years. Shortly after graduation in 1942, she worked for General Electric in Fort Wayne, building airplane engines on the assembly line.
It was that summer that President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law a bill to form the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). The 25th-member of her high school class to join the military, Buelta was among 12 area women sworn into the WAVES in Fort Wayne about a year later.
"She wanted to go into the service, and her dad (Arna Fenstermaker) signed the papers to go in the service," said Buelta's daughter, Tammy Bowman of Garrett. "At that time, many area women were going into the service."
Recruitment needed to be managed, because so many women were interested in joining the WAVES. More than 27,000 recruits reportedly were fitted for the specially designed, navy-blue woolen uniforms during its first year.
Buelta left her GE job and took a train that November for the Hunter College in the New York borough of the Bronx. The college facility provided basic training for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard women recruits.
She was stationed in Washington, D.C., after basic training, where she worked in a communications office. It was in these offices that Buelta and other WAVES worked on deciphering series of numerical codes important to the defense of the United States.
"They used a computer as big as this house," Bowman said. "And they were working with numbers. They decoded documents, but we never told what they were.
"(Buelta) was sworn to a code of silence, and she took it to her grave," she added. "All mom said was they worked with numbers."
Buelta and her coworkers wouldn't know when they broke a code until commanders came in and gave them a commendation. "I think it had to do with the Pacific," said Bowman. Others in her group also received citations.
When she returned to Garrett in 1946, Buelta married classmate Paul Anderson, who was a tailgunner in the U.S. Air Corps. The couple had four children, including son Mike, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, who also lives in Garrett. The couple also had two sons who preceded her in death, Mark and Martin Anderson.
Three representatives from the U.S. Navy — two men and a female officer — were present for Buelta's graveside military honors.
"I was just floored," Bowman said of the Navy representatives. "I was hoping (they would be there).
Buelta's casket was draped with the American flag, as members of the Garrett American Legion post offered a military salute.
"It was Memorial Day weekend, and it was very pretty — the cemetery full of flags," said granddaughter Brea Anderson Liddell. "I think she would have really liked that, and the Navy officers, especially the woman.
"(Buelta) was very, very proud of what she was involved with the service — and the whole evolution of women becoming involved in World War II. She was very proud of the fact that she was one of the frontrunners on that," Liddell said.
"My mother was a trailblazer, like most of the women of that time," Bowman said. "Thanks to all of them, women today have more opportunities and choices than ever before.
"Every time I meet a woman veteran, I thank her for what they have done for our country and for what they have done for women."
During her two-year stint in Washington, D.C., Buelta and her Navy friends often took the train to New York City. They took the train everywhere, Bowman said. "Oh, they had lots of fun!"
She and her friends always wanted to see the Radio City Hall Rockettes, but it was too expensive to go on the salaries they earned as WAVES. Her daughter recalls having to watch every time the Rockettes were on television.
"When the Rockettes came to Fort Wayne last November, I took her," Bowman said. "(Mom) was just beside herself. We had wonderful seats — it was something she wanted to do all her life. Afterward, I was so glad I did it. She was a young lady (again) that whole night."
-------------------------------------------------------------
GARRETT —Buelta A. "Fensie" Anderson, 85 of Garrett died at 1:24 a.m. Friday, May 28, 2010. She was born Oct. 10, 1924, in Garrett to Arna and Candace (Cosper) Fenstermaker and they preceded her in death. She married Paul C. Anderson on October 6, 1946, in Garrett and he died October 6, 1971.
She was a WW II Navy veteran.
Buelta was a packer at Stanadyne Distribution Div. — Garrett for 22 years, retiring in 1988. She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Garrett American Legion. She was also a member of Sigma Phi Gamma and a past member of the Order Of the Eastern Star.
Buelta is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Tamara J. and Terry Bowman of Garrett; and a son and daughter in-law, James "Mike" and Linda Anderson of Garrett. She is survived by seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Buelta was preceded in death by her husband, Paul C. Anderson; twin sons, Mark and Martin Anderson; and a sister, Dorothy Walker.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at Thomas Funeral Home, Garrett and from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Garrett. The services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jeffrey Horn officiating. Burial will follow in Christian Union Cemetery, Garrett, with military graveside services by the U.S. Navy and the Garrett American Legion and VFW.
Memorials are to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
KPC News
May 29, 2010
GARRETT —American flags flew over dozens of headstones in Christian Union Cemetery on June 2.
It was only fitting that Buelta (Fenstermaker) Anderson, 85, be laid to rest amid the field of red, white and blue shortly after Memorial Day.
The World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy died May 28 in her Garrett home.
Although she rarely spoke of her years in the service, it was no secret that she was among a group of women who worked behind the scenes to crack codes for naval intelligence.
Buelta Fenstermaker enjoyed playing in the band at Garrett HIgh School, and was a drum major her junior and senior years. Shortly after graduation in 1942, she worked for General Electric in Fort Wayne, building airplane engines on the assembly line.
It was that summer that President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law a bill to form the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). The 25th-member of her high school class to join the military, Buelta was among 12 area women sworn into the WAVES in Fort Wayne about a year later.
"She wanted to go into the service, and her dad (Arna Fenstermaker) signed the papers to go in the service," said Buelta's daughter, Tammy Bowman of Garrett. "At that time, many area women were going into the service."
Recruitment needed to be managed, because so many women were interested in joining the WAVES. More than 27,000 recruits reportedly were fitted for the specially designed, navy-blue woolen uniforms during its first year.
Buelta left her GE job and took a train that November for the Hunter College in the New York borough of the Bronx. The college facility provided basic training for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard women recruits.
She was stationed in Washington, D.C., after basic training, where she worked in a communications office. It was in these offices that Buelta and other WAVES worked on deciphering series of numerical codes important to the defense of the United States.
"They used a computer as big as this house," Bowman said. "And they were working with numbers. They decoded documents, but we never told what they were.
"(Buelta) was sworn to a code of silence, and she took it to her grave," she added. "All mom said was they worked with numbers."
Buelta and her coworkers wouldn't know when they broke a code until commanders came in and gave them a commendation. "I think it had to do with the Pacific," said Bowman. Others in her group also received citations.
When she returned to Garrett in 1946, Buelta married classmate Paul Anderson, who was a tailgunner in the U.S. Air Corps. The couple had four children, including son Mike, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, who also lives in Garrett. The couple also had two sons who preceded her in death, Mark and Martin Anderson.
Three representatives from the U.S. Navy — two men and a female officer — were present for Buelta's graveside military honors.
"I was just floored," Bowman said of the Navy representatives. "I was hoping (they would be there).
Buelta's casket was draped with the American flag, as members of the Garrett American Legion post offered a military salute.
"It was Memorial Day weekend, and it was very pretty — the cemetery full of flags," said granddaughter Brea Anderson Liddell. "I think she would have really liked that, and the Navy officers, especially the woman.
"(Buelta) was very, very proud of what she was involved with the service — and the whole evolution of women becoming involved in World War II. She was very proud of the fact that she was one of the frontrunners on that," Liddell said.
"My mother was a trailblazer, like most of the women of that time," Bowman said. "Thanks to all of them, women today have more opportunities and choices than ever before.
"Every time I meet a woman veteran, I thank her for what they have done for our country and for what they have done for women."
During her two-year stint in Washington, D.C., Buelta and her Navy friends often took the train to New York City. They took the train everywhere, Bowman said. "Oh, they had lots of fun!"
She and her friends always wanted to see the Radio City Hall Rockettes, but it was too expensive to go on the salaries they earned as WAVES. Her daughter recalls having to watch every time the Rockettes were on television.
"When the Rockettes came to Fort Wayne last November, I took her," Bowman said. "(Mom) was just beside herself. We had wonderful seats — it was something she wanted to do all her life. Afterward, I was so glad I did it. She was a young lady (again) that whole night."
-------------------------------------------------------------
GARRETT —Buelta A. "Fensie" Anderson, 85 of Garrett died at 1:24 a.m. Friday, May 28, 2010. She was born Oct. 10, 1924, in Garrett to Arna and Candace (Cosper) Fenstermaker and they preceded her in death. She married Paul C. Anderson on October 6, 1946, in Garrett and he died October 6, 1971.
She was a WW II Navy veteran.
Buelta was a packer at Stanadyne Distribution Div. — Garrett for 22 years, retiring in 1988. She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Garrett American Legion. She was also a member of Sigma Phi Gamma and a past member of the Order Of the Eastern Star.
Buelta is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Tamara J. and Terry Bowman of Garrett; and a son and daughter in-law, James "Mike" and Linda Anderson of Garrett. She is survived by seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Buelta was preceded in death by her husband, Paul C. Anderson; twin sons, Mark and Martin Anderson; and a sister, Dorothy Walker.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at Thomas Funeral Home, Garrett and from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Garrett. The services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jeffrey Horn officiating. Burial will follow in Christian Union Cemetery, Garrett, with military graveside services by the U.S. Navy and the Garrett American Legion and VFW.
Memorials are to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
KPC News
May 29, 2010
It was only fitting that Buelta (Fenstermaker) Anderson, 85, be laid to rest amid the field of red, white and blue shortly after Memorial Day.
The World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy died May 28 in her Garrett home.
Although she rarely spoke of her years in the service, it was no secret that she was among a group of women who worked behind the scenes to crack codes for naval intelligence.
Buelta Fenstermaker enjoyed playing in the band at Garrett HIgh School, and was a drum major her junior and senior years. Shortly after graduation in 1942, she worked for General Electric in Fort Wayne, building airplane engines on the assembly line.
It was that summer that President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law a bill to form the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). The 25th-member of her high school class to join the military, Buelta was among 12 area women sworn into the WAVES in Fort Wayne about a year later.
"She wanted to go into the service, and her dad (Arna Fenstermaker) signed the papers to go in the service," said Buelta's daughter, Tammy Bowman of Garrett. "At that time, many area women were going into the service."
Recruitment needed to be managed, because so many women were interested in joining the WAVES. More than 27,000 recruits reportedly were fitted for the specially designed, navy-blue woolen uniforms during its first year.
Buelta left her GE job and took a train that November for the Hunter College in the New York borough of the Bronx. The college facility provided basic training for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard women recruits.
She was stationed in Washington, D.C., after basic training, where she worked in a communications office. It was in these offices that Buelta and other WAVES worked on deciphering series of numerical codes important to the defense of the United States.
"They used a computer as big as this house," Bowman said. "And they were working with numbers. They decoded documents, but we never told what they were.
"(Buelta) was sworn to a code of silence, and she took it to her grave," she added. "All mom said was they worked with numbers."
Buelta and her coworkers wouldn't know when they broke a code until commanders came in and gave them a commendation. "I think it had to do with the Pacific," said Bowman. Others in her group also received citations.
When she returned to Garrett in 1946, Buelta married classmate Paul Anderson, who was a tailgunner in the U.S. Air Corps. The couple had four children, including son Mike, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, who also lives in Garrett. The couple also had two sons who preceded her in death, Mark and Martin Anderson.
Three representatives from the U.S. Navy — two men and a female officer — were present for Buelta's graveside military honors.
"I was just floored," Bowman said of the Navy representatives. "I was hoping (they would be there).
Buelta's casket was draped with the American flag, as members of the Garrett American Legion post offered a military salute.
"It was Memorial Day weekend, and it was very pretty — the cemetery full of flags," said granddaughter Brea Anderson Liddell. "I think she would have really liked that, and the Navy officers, especially the woman.
"(Buelta) was very, very proud of what she was involved with the service — and the whole evolution of women becoming involved in World War II. She was very proud of the fact that she was one of the frontrunners on that," Liddell said.
"My mother was a trailblazer, like most of the women of that time," Bowman said. "Thanks to all of them, women today have more opportunities and choices than ever before.
"Every time I meet a woman veteran, I thank her for what they have done for our country and for what they have done for women."
During her two-year stint in Washington, D.C., Buelta and her Navy friends often took the train to New York City. They took the train everywhere, Bowman said. "Oh, they had lots of fun!"
She and her friends always wanted to see the Radio City Hall Rockettes, but it was too expensive to go on the salaries they earned as WAVES. Her daughter recalls having to watch every time the Rockettes were on television.
"When the Rockettes came to Fort Wayne last November, I took her," Bowman said. "(Mom) was just beside herself. We had wonderful seats — it was something she wanted to do all her life. Afterward, I was so glad I did it. She was a young lady (again) that whole night."
-------------------------------------------------------------
GARRETT —Buelta A. "Fensie" Anderson, 85 of Garrett died at 1:24 a.m. Friday, May 28, 2010. She was born Oct. 10, 1924, in Garrett to Arna and Candace (Cosper) Fenstermaker and they preceded her in death. She married Paul C. Anderson on October 6, 1946, in Garrett and he died October 6, 1971.
She was a WW II Navy veteran.
Buelta was a packer at Stanadyne Distribution Div. — Garrett for 22 years, retiring in 1988. She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Garrett American Legion. She was also a member of Sigma Phi Gamma and a past member of the Order Of the Eastern Star.
Buelta is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Tamara J. and Terry Bowman of Garrett; and a son and daughter in-law, James "Mike" and Linda Anderson of Garrett. She is survived by seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Buelta was preceded in death by her husband, Paul C. Anderson; twin sons, Mark and Martin Anderson; and a sister, Dorothy Walker.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at Thomas Funeral Home, Garrett and from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Garrett. The services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jeffrey Horn officiating. Burial will follow in Christian Union Cemetery, Garrett, with military graveside services by the U.S. Navy and the Garrett American Legion and VFW.
Memorials are to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
KPC News
May 29, 2010
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See more Anderson or Fenstermaker memorials in:
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- Garrett Anderson or Fenstermaker
- DeKalb County Anderson or Fenstermaker
- Indiana Anderson or Fenstermaker
- USA Anderson or Fenstermaker
- Find a Grave Anderson or Fenstermaker
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