Wanda Anderson
May 30, 1947 — May 12, 2025
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Service Details
Wanda Lee Anderson, 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.
Wanda was born May 30, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa to John and Hattie (Dresser) Oxley. She graduated from East High School in 1965. She married the love of her life, Mike Anderson, after dating for 5 years. They were married for 56 years. She worked for 34 years as a Clerk in the Industrial Engineering Department at UPS. She was the first woman to work in the IE Department nationally for UPS.
She is survived by her husband, Mike; sons, Kevin and Scott (Jennifer) Anderson; her grandchildren, Cody (Emily) Oliver, Stephanie Anderson, and Nicholas Anderson, and great grandchildren, Olivia and Rex Oliver. Also, her brothers, LeRoy (Nancy) and Chuck {Sally) and sister, Cleo.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Cora, Bob, Mary and Karen and great granddaughter, Reagan.
Wanda loved camping and was an avid reader. She had a very generous and serving heart. With these passions, Wanda and Mike enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada for 28 years with the Van Club. They saw lots of sites and made lifelong friends. They also enjoyed camping for 9 years as Winter Texans at Jamaica Beach RV Park where she planned the annual St. Patrick's Day party, met lots of friends and played lots of mini golf. They enjoyed food prep and competitions with the Dutch Oven Club. Wanda was instrumental in organizing the Planned Parenthood annual Book Sale for 20 years. She and Mike delivered Thanksgiving meals with Hope Ministries for 15 seasons. She volunteered at the Iowa State fair at the Old Schoolhouse and the Information Booth and at Caring Hands in Altoona. Wanda loved her dogs, Abbey and Sadie, who have passed, and now Thelma entertains the household.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025, also at Hamilton’s.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Young Women's Resource Center in loving memory of Wanda.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Janis Hernandez
05/17/2025
Wanda was a great person, I worked with her at UPS for many years. Later in life I worked with her son Kevin. She will always be remembered for her upbeat personality and big heart, not sure she ever met a stranger. My condolences to the family, she will be missed🙏🙏🙏
Billy
05/17/2025
I remember many happy days spent with the Anderson family at custom van events all across the nation. They loved to travel and their van, "Trails End" was always a standout at these gatherings. Wanda, Mike, and the boys were always such wonderful and fun loving company. I have many fond memories of time spent with them. My favorite is probably the time we filled their yard and driveway with custom vans on our way to the Van Nationals in Texas (July 1990). The first stop of a wonderful week of travel, with a caravan of custom vans in blistering temperatures. Somewhere along that route to Texas, at a rest stop, don't remember exactly where, it was a while ago, we heat fatigued travelers were all treated to ice cream on the road, magically produced where it shouldn't even exist, courtesy of Trail's End. Think it was the magic of Wanda.
Vicki Ingham
05/16/2025
Wanda was such a fixture at the old Planned Parenthood Bookworks, it's hard to imagine the sale in its new iteration without her. She did everything, had such deep knowledge of the sale's history and how things were done, and was always ready to help. We couldn't have gotten all those paintings and artwork to the sale without the help of Wanda and Mike.Her commitment was rock solid. She leaves a wonderful legacy and will be greatly missed.
Dede Lenton
05/14/2025
Wanda was a great giving person.She Mike and family always wiling to help if asked.
Everyone will Cherish all the Wonderful Memories
Patrice M Sayre
05/14/2025
I met Wanda through the PP Book Sale. She was an outstanding volunteer; never running out of energy or ideas for improvement, or love for the mission. She always had a ready laugh. It was a privilege to know her
Bill and Maliea Burrichter
05/14/2025
Mike and Wanda were our first neighbors at our Winter home in Galveston, Texas. Wanda was a standout golfer in our daily community matches. She enjoyed 'game night' where she excelled at various card games. Wanda and Mike took the lead in planning and setting up The St. Patrick's dinner party. Wanda enjoyed life and created fun for all who knew her. Our deepest sympathy to Mike and family. We miss you Wanda.
Kay Reasoner
05/14/2025
I’ll miss my dear friend. We were a great team along with Ann and Toni, setting up the booksale for 20 years. Deepest sympathies for the Anderson family.
Tim Ingram
05/14/2025
Wanda was a wonderful volunteer for years with the Book Sale. Her energy and willingness to do anything that was needed made the sales the success they were. We'll miss her smile and get it done attitude. Condolences to Mike and the family.