Vanessa D. Waukau, age 58, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday November 22, 2025, in Neopit. Vanessa was born on December 7, 1966, in Shawano to the late James Webster and Theresa Bear. She graduated from Menominee Indian High School and worked at Neopit headstart as a teacher and also at the casino as a slot attendant. She was united in marriage to Antonio "Tony" Waukau at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena. In Vanessa's free time, she enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding in the woods, going to the casino to play Keno, beading and doing puzzles. She further enjoyed cooking, her trips to McDonalds, bowling and playing basketball in her younger years. Vanessa could talk to anyone and made friends everywhere. She loved spending time with her family and friends. Vanessa was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother; and she was protective of those she cared about. Her husband, children and grandchildren are her world.  She will be deeply missed.

Vanessa is survived by her husband whom she has been with for 42 years, Tony; children, MaShanna (Warren Kakwitch) Waukau, Leon (Winter) Waukau and NaTasha (Dennis Lehn) Waukau; grandchildren, Gerome, Kaylees, Sandra, Haylee, Hazel, Phalynn, Brian, Cecelia and Priscilla; siblings, Valerie "Val" (Jamie) Rupar, Darrel (April) Webster, Jackie Webster, Carrie Webster and Jim Webster.

Vanessa is preceded in death by her siblings, Serena, Tonya, Mike, Chauncey and Christopher; and parents, James and Theresa; and step mother, Jean Webster.

Services will be held on Wednesday November 26, 2025, at the Neopit Community Hall from 11:00am until 2:00 PM.