Cover photo for Wanda L. Westheffer's Obituary
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Wanda L. Westheffer

d. June 22, 2016

Wanda L. Westheffer, 89, of Lawrence, Kansas passed on June 22, 2016.

Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 27th at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, Kansas. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28th at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.

Wanda was born in Scarbro, West Virginia to Murl H. and Catherine (Fielding) Rush. Her father’s job brought her to Lawrence, Kansas her senior year of high school where she graduated from Lawrence High School in 1944. She attended Lawrence Business College and worked at the Sunflower Plant in the business office. Later at the New Year’s Eve Dance at the Community Building, she met Don Westheffer and they were married in June 1947 and made their home in Eudora, Kansas. Together they farmed and raised pigs in the fertile land of the Kaw Valley. Although she never quite lost her southern drawl, she was devoted to her new life and her husband, Don. Later they welcomed their two sons, Murl and Gary and moved to Lawrence, Kansas where they built a family business named Westheffer Company which sold in 1995.

Wanda was a member of the United Methodist Church. A past member of the Lawrence Ladies Shrine Club, one of her shining moments was when she was the first Lady of the Abdallah Shrine in 1985. Spending time traveling with her husband was always exciting and led them to various parts of the world. Overcoming breast cancer in the mid 1980’s, she exhibited her indomitable spirit and showed the world she was a survivor.

Participating in card groups was one of her passions, as she loved playing games such as bridge, pinochle, bingo, and friendly games of blackjack with her grandchildren. Another one of her passions was Jayhawk Basketball as she was an avid fan. She was strong-willed, fun-loving, and had a keen interest in reading, especially her favorite author, Danielle Steele. Possessing a wry sense of humor, she would often display a Cheshire-like grin and that certain twinkle in her eye that announced some sort of orneriness was afoot. She was full of surprises—kind of like opening a box of crackerjacks—she always had something in store. She was one of a kind.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Gary Westheffer. Also preceding her in death is her brother, Murl Rush, Jr., his wife, Marilyn, and sister-in-law, Deloris Rush.

She is survived by her Husband, Don Westheffer of the home, a son, Murl Westheffer, Sr. and wife, Carla, Lawrence, Kansas, and three grandsons, Murl Westheffer, Jr., Michael Westheffer, and Chase Westheffer. She is also survived by her brother, William D. Rush of Chesapeake, Virginia and by her nieces, Ann Raven (David Edelberg), Chicago, Illinois, Cathy (Tim) Rush-Ossenbeck, Batavia, Ohio, and Carol Ann (Dennis) West, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Thanks to Dr. Hatton, Dr. Clark, and their offices as well as Janelle Williams, palliative care nurse at LMH for their care. Thank you to the nurses on 2 nd and 4 th floors at Lawrence Memorial Hospital that tended to Wanda’s final needs. Sincere and deepest appreciation for her caretakers, Mary Beth Nieder and Kim Engnehl.

Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Wanda would invite all to raise a glass to toast a life well lived, a swift ascent to heaven and above all, to celebrate life!

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wanda L. Westheffer, please visit our flower store.

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