Anita Louise Wade

Anita Louise (Lowe) Wade, 88, of Bloomington, Indiana, (formerly of Louisville, Kentucky) went home peacefully to be with the Lord Jesus on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Anita was born in San Diego, California, on November 15, 1937, to Bruce Haldon Lowe and Velsie Catherine (McVeety) Lowe. She was a 1955 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, Battle Creek, MI. While there she excelled at clarinet in both Band and Orchestra and participated in activities such as Student Council, Pep Squad, and Leaders’ Club. Anita had a long and fulfilling career. Her civil service career began at Grissom Air Force Base, where she used her secretarial and organizational skills to support the base leadership. After working at a yacht leasing firm in Fort Lauderdale, FL, she held legal secretary roles with multiple law firms in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, as well as the position of executive secretary to the plant manager at International Harvester. In Philadelphia, PA, she worked for prestigious law firms and served as the executive assistant to a U.S. Ambassador. Anita retired as an Aviation Safety Officer Assistant from the Federal Aviation Administration in Louisville, KY, after over 35 years of government service. In 2016, Governor Matt Bevin awarded her the Kentucky Colonel, the highest honor bestowed by the Governor, recognizing individuals for their noteworthy accomplishments and service to the community, state, and nation. Anita loved her two children with her whole heart and sacrificed much to give them educational and leadership opportunities to succeed in life. Bruce and LaNita are so grateful for her life-changing sacrifices. Among her many loves were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She viewed Christmas with childlike joy and wonder and strove to recreate that for her family. She treasured the memories of picnics and parades at Culver Academies on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee, where the family enjoyed her bundt cakes, home-made potato salad, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Among the many pets she had, she held her Teacup Yorkshire Terriers – Itty Bitty, Little Bit, and Georgie – near to her heart. Anita is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her son Bruce (Maria Pajo) Wade of Bloomington, IN, and daughter LaNita Oleson of Ruidoso, NM; her granddaughter Victoria (Justin) Clampitt of Thompson’s Station, TN; her grandson Christian (Morgan) Wade of Bloomington, IN; her grandson Jonathan (Rachel) Wade of Greenwood, IN; her granddaughter Laurel Henning of Louisville, KY; her granddaughter Katie (Dylan) Henning of Waltham, MA; her 9 great grandchildren William, Evelyn, Bryce, Ben, Graham, Gavin, Everett, Lee, and Edison. There will be a gathering of family to celebrate Anita’s life and the blessing she was to her children and family. The family would like to thank the loving and compassionate caregivers at Hearthstone Health Campus in Bloomington, IN, the IU Health Bloomington Hospital team, and the Redcrest Hospice team. Also, a special thanks to Laurel Henning. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kentucky Humane Society (Louisville) or the Monroe (IN) County Humane Society.

Tributes

Anita Louise Wade

November 15, 1937 - March 22, 2026