Wanda Wareham

Nov. 23, 1935-April 13, 2004

Wanda was born Nov. 23, 1935, in Wauneta to Howard E. and Lois Fern Stinnette. She attended school in Wauneta until the family moved to McCook in 1952, where she graduated from McCook High School in 1953. After graduating, she attended teletype school in Kansas City, Mo., and when completed, returned to McCook where she met her future husband, Larry Wareham.

They were married in McCook, July 11, 1954, and moved to Seattle, Wash., where Larry was stationed with the U.S. Navy. In 1955, a son, Marc Kevin was born.

Wanda began a career in business administration, being employed by Washington Natural Gas, U.S. Steel and the P.H. Bowman Manufacturing Company where she was the administrative assistant to Mr. Bowman, the president and owner of the company. Wanda later worked for the City of Everett Planning Commission and was promoted to the Police Records Department as records manager. During this time, she was actively involved in the Law Enforcement Records Information Association (LEIRA). She was instrumental in establishing procedures and guidelines to enable member states to share information. She was an honorary life member of LEIRA.

Wanda retired in 1990, and after a few months of travel, she and Larry moved to San Diego where Marc was living. This move enabled Wanda to be near granddaughter, Chelsea, the light of her life. Wanda was a vital part of Chelsea's life. She insured Chelsea's involvement in a variety of activities, planned and hosted unique birthday parties and included Chelsea in her travels with Larry. Wanda volunteered at Chelsea's school for five years, before becoming ill. She was known for her dependability and was well known and liked by all.

Wanda had many talents, including needlepoint, crocheting, stenciling, hooking rugs and scrapbooking, all of which she did superbly. She was generous to share finished projects with family and friends; she donated many lap size Afghans to a local senior center. She also enjoyed traveling and in addition to much of the United States, she and Larry traveled to Europe, Thailand, China and Mexico. Wanda had a wide circle of caring and loyal friends. She was a true people person and never knew a stranger.

Wanda died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, in San Diego, Calif. She was 68 years old.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Larry, one son, Marc, and a granddaughter, Chelsea, all of El Cajon, Calif.; her mother, Fern Stinnette of Pocatello, Idaho; a sister, Barbara and husband, Jim Koetter of Pocatello; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, great-nieces, great-nephews and many cousins, all of whom she cared about. She was preceded in death by her father, Howard Stinnette.

Cremations was by Lakeside-Santee Funeral Chapel of Lakeside, Calif. Inurnment without viewing, will be at Singing Hills Memorial Cemetery, El Cajon.

Memorial services are Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Meadows Club House. Memorials can be given to the local American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345 for information).