WANDA BLACK WITT

 

 CLASS OF 1944

JANUARY 14, 1926 - OCTOBER 19, 2007

Wanda peacefully passed away on October 19, 2007 in her Des Moines, Washington home of 47 years with her 2 daughters by her side. She was 81. Born January 14, 1926 in Osawatomie, KS to Opal and Hugh Black. Stepdaughter to Wilbur Charles Bendorf after Hugh's passing in 1952. Older sister to Margaret Ann Black Mullins. Wanda was married to Charles (Chuck) Gibbs Witt in Osawatomie on February 14, 1946 and they were married 55 years until his passing in 2000.

During her school years in Osawatomie, Wanda excelled at her studies, held student body offices, was a member of the National Honors Society, and was very active in many organizations. She maintained a very sharp mind throughout her life. After high school graduation, she studied to become an Army nurse for a period of time before marrying Chuck. She then became a full time homemaker. They had a daughter, Cheryl, moved around the Midwest and Southwest for a few years, had another daughter, Janice, and eventually settled in a suburb of Seattle, Washington. In the early 1960s Wanda was a meter maid in Seattle for a few years and after that became a full time homemaker. After Chuck's retirement from carpentry in 1984, they spent many years fishing and traveling with their RV.

Wanda loved her family, reading, working crossword puzzles, watching sports on TV, bowling, fishing, camping, bird watching, chocolate, playing Bingo and the slot machines. She loved her Las Vegas trips with her sister and girlfriends and all her 40 years on the Burien, Washington bowling leagues. She was a quiet, introspective, supportive, and pleasant person who rarely complained. We will love and miss her always and are so thankful to have had her in our lives.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Witt; her parents, Opal and Hugh Black; her stepfather, Wilbur Bendorf; and numerous other relatives.

Wanda is survived by 2 daughters, Cheryl Witt of Olympia, Washington and Janice Witt of Des Moines, Washington; 1 sister, Margaret Black Mullins of Des Moines, Washington; 2 granddaughters, Tracie Holman of Portland, Oregon and Sandra Holman of Olympia, Washington; and numerous other relatives.

A memorial celebration of life for Wanda and Chuck will take place this coming Spring or Summer at the Witt family home in Des Moines, Washington; date to be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 425 Pontius Ave N, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98109.

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