Nannette Wrede

Nannette Furry Wrede, age 93, passed away September 30, 2026, at New Haven Adult Care Home in Central Point, Oregon, where she resided since November, 2023.

Sybil Nannette Furry was born on July 17, 1933, at home in Phoenix, Oregon. She was the second child of Raymond A. and Marie Morton Furry. Her sister, Patricia, was nine years old when Nannette was born and survives her.

Nannette’s parents were both descendants of pioneer families who settled in the Phoenix area in the 1800’s. The Furry and Morton grandparents immigrated to the area -- one by way of the Applegate Trail, and the other by boat, crossing the Isthmus of Panama. They next boarded another ship and, finally, a train to Sacramento, California. She was also a descendent of the pioneer Caton and Barneburg families.

Nannette attended Phoenix schools, graduating from Phoenix High in 1951, with honors. She attended the University of Portland, College of Nursing at St. Vincent’s Hospital, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She was a member of Alpha Tau Delta, an honorary nursing sorority.

As an RN, “Nurse Nan” worked for several months in the old Sacred Heart Hospital in Medford and later, for 17 years, with M. Donald McGeary, M.D., in his office in Phoenix, then his office in Medford at the Family Practice Group.

Nannette and Michael “Mick” Wrede met on a blind date while she was in college. He came to Phoenix from his home in Hollywood, California, to stay with and work summers in his aunt and uncle Faytinger’s fruit orchards on Fern Valley Road. Their love grew and on February 11, 1956, Nannette Furry and Paul Michael Wrede married. Mick was a staff sergeant in the Air Force and was stationed at the USAF base in Yuma, Arizona, where they spent the first “sweltering” months of married life. They returned to Medford and that November welcomed their daughter, Cheryl Anne. A son, Richard Norman, joined their family four years later.

The Wredes built a home on Colver Road in 1964 and lived there until 2004, when they moved to Walnut Place. They moved to The Springs at Anna Maria in 2018 and enjoyed their time there until 2022-23, when health issues dictated moving to care facilities. Mick and Nannette were married for 67 years until his death in 2023.

She was a member of the Phoenix Thursday Club, and after retiring from nursing, she did volunteer work in the History Store of the Jackson County Historical Society, in both Jacksonville and Medford. She was a member of the Phoenix Historical Society and was a docent at the Phoenix Museum. She and Mick for many years were both active in the museum’s maintenance and historical content.

Nannette was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Thomas Wrede, as well as brother-in-law, Mike Popow, and two sons-in-law: John Popa and Tucker Grigg Jr.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Popa Grigg, of Sea Island, Georgia; son Richard Wrede (Cheryl), of Phoenix; grandson John Michael Popa (Melinda), St. Simons Island, Georgia; granddaughter Kacee Popa Reagan (Thomas III), St. Simons Island; grandson Christopher Paul Wrede, of Coos Bay; three great-grandsons: Brooks Wrede Popa, Thomas Joseph Reagan IV, and Alexander James Wrede; her sister Pat Popow, Medford; niece, Dari Nielsen and nephew, Michael Popow.

She also leaves behind the loving and compassionate caregivers at New Haven Adult Care Home in Central Point, led by owner Ali Aukusitino. The family also appreciates the care offered by Signature Healthcare hospice nurses. When living at Anna Maria, Nannette received assistance from Jody Dwyer and her At Home Care-Giving team, as well as from Robyn Alleson. The family is grateful for all of your blessed presence.

Private interment will be at Phoenix Pioneer Cemetery. Arrangements are being provided by Hillcrest Mortuary. No memorial service will be held, per Mrs. Wrede’s directive.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Phoenix Historical Museum, P.O. Box 1466, Phoenix, OR, 97535, or to the Phoenix Pioneer Cemetery, P.O. Box 358, Phoenix, OR, 97535.