Wanda L. Westheffer
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Wanda L. Westheffer, 89, of Lawrence, Kansas passed on June 22, 2016.
Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 27th at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, Kansas. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28th at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.
Wanda was born in Scarbro, West Virginia to Murl H. and Catherine (Fielding) Rush. Her father’s job brought her to Lawrence, Kansas her senior year of high school where she graduated from Lawrence High School in 1944. She attended Lawrence Business College and worked at the Sunflower Plant in the business office. Later at the New Year’s Eve Dance at the Community Building, she met Don Westheffer and they were married in June 1947 and made their home in Eudora, Kansas. Together they farmed and raised pigs in the fertile land of the Kaw Valley. Although she never quite lost her southern drawl, she was devoted to her new life and her husband, Don. Later they welcomed their two sons, Murl and Gary and moved to Lawrence, Kansas where they built a family business named Westheffer Company which sold in 1995.
Wanda was a member of the United Methodist Church. A past member of the Lawrence Ladies Shrine Club, one of her shining moments was when she was the first Lady of the Abdallah Shrine in 1985. Spending time traveling with her husband was always exciting and led them to various parts of the world. Overcoming breast cancer in the mid 1980’s, she exhibited her indomitable spirit and showed the world she was a survivor.
Participating in card groups was one of her passions, as she loved playing games such as bridge, pinochle, bingo, and friendly games of blackjack with her grandchildren. Another one of her passions was Jayhawk Basketball as she was an avid fan. She was strong-willed, fun-loving, and had a keen interest in reading, especially her favorite author, Danielle Steele. Possessing a wry sense of humor, she would often display a Cheshire-like grin and that certain twinkle in her eye that announced some sort of orneriness was afoot. She was full of surprises—kind of like opening a box of crackerjacks—she always had something in store. She was one of a kind.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Gary Westheffer. Also preceding her in death is her brother, Murl Rush, Jr., his wife, Marilyn, and sister-in-law, Deloris Rush.
She is survived by her Husband, Don Westheffer of the home, a son, Murl Westheffer, Sr. and wife, Carla, Lawrence, Kansas, and three grandsons, Murl Westheffer, Jr., Michael Westheffer, and Chase Westheffer. She is also survived by her brother, William D. Rush of Chesapeake, Virginia and by her nieces, Ann Raven (David Edelberg), Chicago, Illinois, Cathy (Tim) Rush-Ossenbeck, Batavia, Ohio, and Carol Ann (Dennis) West, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Thanks to Dr. Hatton, Dr. Clark, and their offices as well as Janelle Williams, palliative care nurse at LMH for their care. Thank you to the nurses on 2nd and 4th floors at Lawrence Memorial Hospital that tended to Wanda’s final needs. Sincere and deepest appreciation for her caretakers, Mary Beth Nieder and Kim Engnehl.
Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Wanda would invite all to raise a glass to toast a life well lived, a swift ascent to heaven and above all, to celebrate life!
Don, Ray and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family, We had some great times in the Shrine with you and Wanda, trips, birthday parties, anniversary parties and just being with you two. Lot of memories. She was a ball of fire and loved having fun. May there be comfort in knowing your friends are here for you and we share in your sorrow.
God Bless you and keep you strong.
Rest in peace my dear sister, love you. “D”
Forever I will remember the twinkle in your eye, our love and sympathy to your great son and family.
Deeply sadden by your loss, so many great memories, Thinking of you all, sincerely George Goff Sr and family
I offer my sincere sympathy to all of Wanda’s family. I feel very lucky to have grown up with Wanda and her family as my next door neighbors. I have plenty of memories of Wanda: her smile, her drawl, her kindness, and her friendship. Our families lived next to each other for more years than I can count and as kids she was always there if we needed anything. She was a good soul. God bless her and her family. Michele
Don, sorry to hear of your loss. So thankful for our relationship with you and your family in business thru the years. God Bless!
My dear Aunt Wanda, she and Uncle Don have always been wonderful, humorous and loving to me. We had a lot in common, including a love of traveling and of dogs. I am remembering the good times today as well as mourning her loss. They were a loving couple and an incredible example of team work in all that they accomplished. Uncle Don, You are a strong person. Just know that I love you and, as a family, we will hope to help you through the grief that you feel. My love, also, to Murl, Carla and the boys who were strong for me when my parents passed away.
I am so sorry!
I have such fond memories of my feisty Aunt Wanda. I know she is making heaven a much more fun and colorful place! Our love to Uncle Don, Murl and Carla and the “boys”,
Cathy and Tim
Dearest Murl and Carla and family, i am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my prayers and i hope you know this parting is only temporary. God bless each of you with peace in your hearts. Love never dies.
I am sorry to learn that Wanda has passed away. She was a good and very spirited friend to me during my years with the Westheffer Company. My condolences go to Don, Murl and Carla, the grandsons and the rest of the family.
Sincerely,
Jon Zimmerman
Deepest regrets to “DON”, Murl, Carla & the boys on Wanda’s passing. Memory of Wanda always returned to if BINGO was within 20 miles of Lawrence, Kansas ~ Wanda & Virginia Strong would be there.
Death breaks into,our lives with such force and deprives us of our dear loved ones. The grief that Wanda’s death has caused is indescribable. No wonder the Bible calls death an enemy of mankind. (1 Corinthians 15:26) Jesus tells us to look forward to the time when all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out to a resurrection of life. ( John 5:28) This is a comforting hope to help sustain you during this difficult time. We can all look forward to the time when we will see our loved ones again, when death is no more, and God has made all thing new, at that time we will all have the opportunity to live forever in a paradise earth. In the meantime may the fond memories of Wanda comfort you and may God grant you the ability to endure.