Wanda Arlene Anders
Wanda Arlene Anders was born on July 17, 1933, to Henry and Nettie Raetz and spent the first years of her life at Elm Springs, South Dakota, with her parents and five siblings. On September 21, 1949, she married Ron Anders in Sturgis, SD. They worked various jobs, eventually making their home at Union Center in 1956, operating a successful trucking company. In the early years, she was the voice on the phone, booking loads and keeping things organized.
God gave her the gift of music; she could play numerous instruments, wrote songs and even taught music in some of the rural schools where she also served as a teacher’s aide. She loved working with kids.
She played in several dance bands over the years, and at various nursing and assisted living facilities and church – she just loved to entertain others and make them feel good.
Wanda had a beauty shop in their home for years where people (men and women) came from the community and surrounding area to get their hair done because “no one could do hair like Wanda”. Most of the grandkids received their first haircut from Grandma. Her love for people and making them feel good has always been important, she never met a stranger, at least not for long. However, her greatest pride and joy was her family. She loved attending family activities, grandchildren’s events, and spending time together.
Wanda, 88, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Sandstone Assisted Living in Spearfish.
She is survived by her children, Stan (Chris) of Union Center, SD, Rhonda (Roy) Sigman of Vale, SD, Lynn (Ron) Wright of Gillette, WY, Steve (Sue) Anders of Sturgis, SD; eleven grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Also, her brother, Bill (Jo) Raetz of Matador, TX; sister, Gloria (Larry) Roberdeau of Brandon, SD.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; parents, brother, Warren Raetz; sisters, Ellen Cowen and Bernice Chord; brothers-in-law, Don Cowen and Wayne Chord; sister-in-law, Evelyn Raetz; and one grandson, Travis Anders.
A memorial has been established to the Shriner’s.
