Wanda Mae Conner

Wanda was born May 24th 1928 to Laura and Raymond Duncan in Wister Oklahoma.  She was the 3rd of four children. Wanda spent much of her early years in Wister, Oklahoma.  During her Senior year of high school the family moved to Leflore, Oklahoma where Wanda was the valedictorian of her class.  Through all her life she laughed about the award because she had only spent one year there and always felt, another classmates was much more deserving.  

After high school Wanda worked as a nurse. She claimed, she gave the most painful shots imaginable.

Wanda married Charles J. “Chuck” Conner on February 19th 1947.  At one time the young couple ran a diner in Wister, Oklahoma, but the restaurant business wasn’t for them.  On his way to find work in California, Chuck visited a relative in Craig, Colorado, got offered a job in a car dealership and shortly after Wanda followed with their baby daughter Charlene.  Their sons Rick, Chuck and Dick were all born in Craig. Chuck worked his way up to manager and eventually he and Wanda opened their own car dealership “Northwest Sales”, where Chuck tended to the front of the house and Wanda took care of everything behind the scenes, from human resources to accounting.

After selling the dealership they embarked on a housing development called Craig East.  They ran Craig East until they sold it in 1982.  After their last business venture they retired and returned to Eastern Oklahoma.

Wanda was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was happiest when spending time with her family.  Wanda was an avid sports enthusiast.  The Oklahoma Sooners football team could not have a bigger fan.  Wanda traveled extensively through Northwest Colorado cheering on her children’s sport’s teams.  During the summer Wanda and her husband spent many days fishing the White River outside of Meeker, Colorado, enjoying the great outdoors together.  Wanda fried up their catch and served it alongside her legendary coleslaw for the whole family to enjoy.  Thus the fishing resort in Meeker, Sleepy Cat Guest Ranch, became their second home from June through August.

Wanda is survived by her daughter Charlene McFarland of Clarksville, Tennessee; sons Rick Conner of Longmont, Colorado; Chuck Conner of Jamestown, Colorado and Dick Conner of Spring Hill, Kansas.

Wanda is also survived by her grand-children Brett McFarland of Clarksville, Tennessee; Wendy McFarland of Waco, Texas; Marlene Conner of Norman, Oklahoma; Noah Conner of New York City, New York; Alex Conner of Los Angeles, California; Brady Conner of Alamosa, Colorado; Danielle Conner of Orlando, Florida; and Shannon Bancroft of Virginia. She has many amazing great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband Charles J. Conner, brothers Edward Duncan, Arthur Raymond Duncan and Hoyt Duncan.

Wanda loved telling stories about her childhood.  From walking behind her dad plowing the fields with an ox, to playing paper dolls with her friends.  Wanda was an avid reader of books and was passionate about politics.

Wanda will be missed by all those she leaves behind. She will be missed for her grace. She will be missed for her gentle nature. She will be missed for her unwavering faith. Most of all she will be missed as our Nana.