Wanda June Abel

Wanda June Abel passed away peacefully on May 1, 2022. She was born Wanda June Moreland on April 25, 1926 in Oklahoma City, OK to parents, Andrew and Maud Richardson. She joined two older brothers, J.B. and Harold. In 1935 the family moved to Southern California where she later met her husband and love of her life of 42 years, Bill Abel. They lived in Escalon for a few years before they settled and made their life in Riverbank where they raised their 4 daughters, Barbara, Dianna, Patricia, and Victoria. During this time, Wanda worked as a foreman at Contadina and then moved to S & W Nut Processing until her retirement in 1973. In her retirement she was active in the Oakdale Garden Club, Grandma’s Club, Native Daughters, her ceramics group and enjoyed making everyone crocheted blankets for milestones such as graduations, weddings, and new babies. She was committed to her Friday lunch group for over 10 years, where they would go out to lunch after their hair appointment. She and Bill moved to Oakdale in 1972 where they remained. Their home in Oakdale was the site of countless family dinners and gatherings, and the place where their grandkids created fond memories together. Wanda was known to everyone, as she rarely missed one of her grandkids’ dance recitals, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, football, and basketball games, livestock shows, award ceremonies, and graduations. She made it her life to love and support her grandchildren. Through all of these events she became an honorary nana to so many. Wanda is famous for her unconditional love for her family and cooking abilities, while always making enough to feed an army. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Maud Moreland, husband, Bill Abel, brothers, Harold and J.B. Moreland, daughter, Barbara Merry, and great grandson, Andrew Sugiyama. She is survived by 3 daughters, Dianna Garcia (John), Patricia Buchanan (Ric), Victoria Amador (Will), Son-in-law, Ace Merry, 9 grandchildren; Jodie Sugiyama, Asa Merry, Amber Dunagan (Darin), Amy Garcia Knittel, Jennifer Merry, Erica Lopez (Abe), Mark Garcia (Brooke), Kaci Brazil (Randy), Jillian Riesenbeck (Steve), 18 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson.

A private family graveside service for Wanda will be held Friday, May 13, 2022 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA 95326.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakewoodHughson.com for the ABEL family.