Wanda Mitchell Claeys

Wanda Mitchell Claeys passed away at her residence in Lawrence, Kansas on Monday, January 25, 2016. She was born on February 23, 1921 in Vincennes, Indiana to John H. and Mildred Briscoe Mitchell. She graduated from Indiana University/Bloomington in 1944 with a double major leading to a long, successful career as a speech therapist. She studied music also at the Cincinnati College/Conservatory of Music and later pursued graduate work at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She married Robert G. Claeys, M.D. in Bloomington, Indiana in 1944. He preceded her in death in 1975. Her two children, Stephen M. and Mary Susan preceded her in death also. She is survived by her son-in-law, Marvin Lamb of Norman, Oklahoma; four granddaughters, Laurie, Allison, Jessica and Virginia; three great grandchildren, Cooper, Maggie and Oliver; her niece and nephews, Sharon Williams, Doug, Greg and Geoffrey Sanders survive her as well as many friends throughout the United States, especially her devoted “Lawrence friends”, Laurie Dowd, Fern Nettleton and Judy White.

Mrs. Claeys worked for one year at the Indiana State School for the Deaf before moving to Wilmington, Ohio where her husband practiced medicine for 26 years. During that time, she worked for ten years as the speech-language pathologist in the Clinton-Massie School District of Ohio. The family moved to Soldatna, Alaska in 1972. She returned to work in the Soldatna-Kenai Public Schools, where she supervised the speech-language program. She retired and moved to Lawrence in 1977. In her early youth she joined the United Methodist Church. Mrs. Claeys was a life member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and a proud member of the Indiana University Alumni Association.

Arrangements are being handled by Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. There will be no local services. Mrs. Claeys will be laid to rest in her family plot in Spruce Grove Memorial Park at Kasilof-Cohoe, Alaska next to her beloved husband, Bob and daughter, Susan.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Music Program at the McFarlin United Methodist Church – Norman, Oklahoma and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.