Nelson Wanda

Wanda L. Nelson, born Wanda La Vaughn Wolfe, passed away on January 30, 2018 at the age of 94. A longtime resident of Great Bend, Kansas, Wanda has spent the last several years in Goodyear, AZ close to her daughter Nikki and husband Lionel.

Wanda was born November 24, 1923 in Buhl, Idaho to Horace and Bertha (Kerr) Wolfe. Wanda moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado as a child and spent her youth there. After her marriage to her childhood sweetheart Joe Wickman ended, she moved to Kansas. She resided in Great Bend, Kansas in 1956 with her husband John Nelson (who preceded her in death) and lived there until moving to Arizona.

Wanda held the distinction of being the first person Sears & Roebuck hired upon opening their Great Bend store. She was the audit manager for thirty-five years until she retired. She was known for her good cooking, fun-loving personality and strong work ethic. She also enjoyed fishing and dancing and was an avid bowler. Through the years she traveled with her bowling teammates to many tournaments.

Wanda is survived by her three daughters who loved her and will miss her, Linda (Don-deceased) Swalander of Ruidoso, New Mexico; Nikki (Lionel) Clark of Goodyear, Arizona; Debra (Jerry) Jasnoski of El Cajon, California; as well as seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A family memorial will be held at a later date in Colorado.