Annetta (Netta) J. Hoversten (nee Ross)

HUDSON - Annetta (Netta) J. Hoversten (nee Ross), 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on August 12, 2025.

Netta was born in DuBois, PA, to George and Eleanor (Kirker) Ross. Netta grew up in Dubois and graduated from DuBois High School. All throughout her school years she and her best friend roller skated. They had to walk to the next town to get to a rink, which they did numerous times a week - they both had visions of being in a roller derby.

Living in DuBois, Netta married her first husband, Paul Waite, and had her only child, (son, Barry). But job prospects seemed better in California, so they packed all their possessions into a Volkswagen bus and drove across the country to California. Netta became a licensed cosmetologist and enjoyed working in the field for many years. She then worked at Blue Diamond Growers where year-round she carefully packaged nuts into gift packages that would be sold at Christmas time. Thereafter she went to work for the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Office of Structures, (i.e. bridges). Netta became the heart and soul of the office and, because she managed all employees' travel paperwork and reimbursements, everyone got to know and love her. No one was surprised the year Netta was selected as "Employee of the Year."

It was while at CalTrans that Bill Hoversten's secretary introduced him to Netta, (who was by then a divorcee). They married in 1997 and Netta became part of a larger family which included Bill’s six children. Bill and Netta retired in 1998 by which time they had already been on two cruises through the Panama Canal. Upon retirement, they began their traveling adventures in earnest. They ultimately took seventeen cruises, including to Hawaii, England, the Mediterranean, North Africa, all the islands in the Caribbean, and parts of South America, (including Brazil). They also traveled full-time throughout the U.S. in their fifth-wheel trailer for almost two years, and spent a summer in Alaska with a truck camper.

In 2000, Netta and Bill finally settled down in Mountain Home, Arkansas where they lived for 23 years. They moved to Hudson, OH in 2023 to be closer to family.

In addition to traveling, Netta loved music, reading, communicating with family and friends, and needlework. She was an accomplished painter, having won numerous awards at county fairs throughout her life. She was very active in her church where she loved to sing; while in Arkansas she was head of the Presbyterian Women's Group.

Netta and Bill were constant companions throughout their retirement. She brought much joy, laughter, and love to Bill's life and she will be missed immensely.

Preceded in death by her parents; sister, Georgia DeGrandes and son, Barry Waite, Netta is survived by her beloved husband of 28 years, Bill Hoversten; sisters, Judy (Jack) Amick and Jane (Burt, deceased) Ellenberger; brothers, Rahn (Lori) and Bob (Louise) Ross; brother-in-law, John DeGrandes; step-children, Deeanna (John, deceased) Butts, Cassandra (Bill, deceased) Peck, Katrina (Tim) Rieger, William (Michelle) Hoversten, Keith (Tara) Hoversten and Chris (Aggie) Hoversten; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Waite. Netta was also blessed with eighteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Rev. Jeanette Brodersen will officiate a memorial service at 2 PM, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow 44224, where friends may call from 12 noon, until the time of service. A private inurnment at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville, PA will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Netta’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.