Wanda L. Sawyer was born on Sept. 3 ^rd . 1952 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. Wanda was a life long resident in the Wichita Kansas area. Our home for almost 20 years has been in Andover, Kansas

Wanda worked as a medical records clerk for the Veterans Administration for 20 years before retiring at the age of 62. Prior to working at the Veterans Administration, Wanda worked in various assembly line jobs serving private industry and also the aircraft industry.

She said more than once, that she very much enjoyed assembly line type work, but due to the nature of that type of work with the potential for lay-offs and the uncertainty, the Veterans Administration job was a God send to her. It meant permanence & job security.

During her tenure at the Veterans Administration, Wanda received multiple performance awards & commendations for excellence, which she proudly framed and displayed in our home office space. She served as a mentor for new employees & received accolades for her guidance & support of newly hired employees. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and loved by all of her co-workers, with-out exception. To have met Wanda was to have loved her.

Wanda loved music, especially country music. Her favorite artist was Dwight Yoakum. I always said that if Dwight Yoakum showed up at our front door, she'd show me out the back door. She was a true die-hard fan. She would put in her ear buds at work & be in the zone. Not only was Wanda a music fan, she also worked a while for Arthur Murray Studios as a dance instructor. One of my favorite memories was of Wanda teaching my daughter to "Two-Step" on the back deck. One of her co-workers said that she'd be wearing her ear buds while dancing up and down the isles listening to her music and filing medical records. I know this to be true, because I was tasked with downloading almost two thousand songs from CD's to her then popular MP3 player. It was a chore that I gladly did it because I knew that her music was very important to her, and a great source of joy.

Another one of Wanda's simple pleasures on this earth was her love of all animals - especially cats. Wanda was a cat whisperer and rescuer. I'm sure the cats that we've helped, nurtured, & cared for over the years thought they'd died and gone to cat heaven when they found there way to Wanda. The cats must have passed the word, because they seemed to materialize out of nowhere. Wanda was also known by her contemporaries as the "Crazy Cat Lady". My brother said of her one time "Oh to be a cat in the Sawyer Household". As a consequence, I learned to love cats also. Who knew? Wanda was a very compassionate, very loving & very tender hearted woman. The animal kingdom will no doubt notice her absence.

Wanda was a long standing member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish in Andover, Kansas, & for a while, was also a member of the Red Hat Society.

Wanda has one son Jim of Colorado Springs, Colorado, two step daughters Michelle & Heather of New Braunfels, Texas, thirteen grand-children and two great grand children. She was known affectionately to all of them as "Grams".

Wanda's older brother Kip departed this earth before Wanda, a number of years ago, but she has an older sister who is still living. I cannot let it be left unsaid that Wanda was also her older sister's legal guardian & conservator for the last 35 years due to a mental disorder. It was not a job that Wanda asked for, but rather it was thrust upon Wanda by her mother before her passing. "Mother knows best" - Right?

Yes, Wanda's mother did know best, because Wanda did not shirk that enormous responsibility, but rather accepted it, embraced it, and was the most loyal, loving, caring and understanding friend a sister could hope for. Every week, with out fail, year in and year out, Wanda (and frequently I) would make the trip to Valley Center to pick Jeannie up for lunch and a little outing. It was truly a sacrifice of time, expense and energy that Wanda gladly took on. Wanda loved her sister dearly and guarded her from all harm. Wanda and my outings with Jeannie would usually be the same routine - Jeannie always wanted a McDonald's "Happy Meal" (for the toy) and a Hollywood Celebrity Magazine from Dollar General (For the Pictures). Wanda made sure that Jeannie's life was happy, and that her simple wishes and desires were me.

I could go on and on singing Wanda's praises - She truly was a "Great Woman" and a blessing from Our Heavenly Father.

That's the kind of woman I married - The absolute best a guy like me could ever hope for.

I love her and miss her terribly.

A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., at the St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Andover, KS. Memorials may be in Wanda's memory to The American Society.

My Dearest Wanda,

I don't really know where to begin, so I'll start by saying that you are still and always will be my beautiful wife who is dearly missed by everyone who knew you. You were not only my beloved wife, lover, confidant, companion, and best friend, you were & are so much more to so many people who knew you.

When I asked you to marry me, and you responded with a "Yes", you made my life complete. You were the missing part that brought balance to my life. With you, I learned what true happiness looks like. You brought joy into my life, and I was proud that you agreed to be my partner and walk with me on life's journey. You were a rare gem in this world, and God blessed me by bringing us together.

I'm convinced that you were warmly welcomed into heaven, as the angels & saints rejoiced at your arrival. I so needed you then, and I need you now. But, I take solace in the fact that I will carry you in my heart forever - my heart so aches for you. It has never been so hard to say "Good Bye" in my life, but upon reflection, I realize that it is not "Good Bye", but rather "I'll see you soon"….I take comfort in the knowledge that by the grace of our Heavenly Father, we will be re-united again one day.

All I ever wanted was just one more day on this earth with you Wanda. You were not only my wife, you were also a devoted & beloved Mother, Mother-in Law, Step Mother, "Grams", "Great Grandma", aunt, niece, cousin, sister, daughter, and an unforgettable friend to all who met you. We all miss you so much already……….

My heart aches so much for you, I long for you, I want to hear your voice just once more, but I take comfort in the knowledge that you are at peace, and in a better place. On a more personal note, you still are known more affectionately to me as "Mi Amor" in this world, and will always be "Mi Amor"……….

All my Love, Hugs, & Kisses……until we are reunited…………...I hold you in my heart.

Your loving & devoted husband,

Dick