Wanda Julia Wear, daughter of Audrey (Kugler) and Ralph Williams was born March 7, 1933, in Smith County, Kansas. She departed this life January 4, 2022, at Hickory Grove assisted living in Carthage, Illinois at the age of 88.

Wanda was the sixth of eight children born into a family who enjoyed a great love for laughter and music. Her mother died when she was only 5 years old and her father died when she was fifteen.

Despite their struggles and losses, the siblings were determined to keep the family together and maintain love and laughter in their lives.

Wanda met Edward Wear while he was in the Air Force, and they married February 2, 1951. Wanda and Ed moved back to Carthage, Illinois and spent their life farming and raising four children. Wanda loved feeding people including hay crews, feed salesmen and anyone else who pulled in the driveway. Wanda with her great personality worked at various jobs including her two favorites, waitressing and sitting with people when they needed a caretaker. Wanda will be remembered for her generosity, her loving personality, and the love of her family. She was always willing to babysit for her precious grandchildren.

Left to treasure her memory are her children, son Jack (Jill) Kukla of Gerald, Missouri; a daughter, Shirli (Alan) Dickerson of Carthage; a son Ross (Phoebe) Wear of Carthage; a daughter Sherry (Tom) Wright of Carthage; grandchildren, Luke Harris, Audrey Hall, Adrienne Range, Carrie Wear, Lexanne Darwent, Abbie O’Hern, Whitney McKeown, Caitlin Dallas, and Steven Kukla; fifteen great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward Wear; sisters Norma June Peterson, Roma Timmons, JoAnne Nicholson, Sylvia Anderson; brothers Donn Williams, Gayle Williams and Arden Williams; Grandchildren Natasha Kukla, and John Ross Kukla.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 8, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church in Carthage with burial to follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 PM with family meeting with friends from 6 -8 PM Friday evening, January 7, 2022, at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage.  Memorials may be directed to Hickory Grove Sunroom or donor’s choice.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.