LARNED — Thelma Wandalee  “Wanda” Nelson, 81, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, was called from this earth on Oct. 29, 2011 due to congestive heart failure.
She was nearly a lifetime resident of Pawnee County. Wanda was born in her grandparent’s farmhouse bedroom in Reno County on July 27, 1930 to Willard K. Wright and Marie O. Wright.
She graduated from Larned High School and Fort Hays State Teachers College and taught country school in Rush County for one year. She married her high school sweetheart, Keith Nelson, May 15, 1949 and became a farmer’s wife. When she was not driving the wheat truck during the summer harvest, she was employed by the county ASCS office. After many years at the ASCS office, she became a dental assistant for Dr. W.A. Spomer. In recent years, she became very interested in genealogy and produced many family history books for family members. Her research of family roots dated back to the 1600s.
Survivors include Keith Nelson, her devoted husband of 62 years; a loving daughter, Linda Ann Motley and her husband Edward, Dalworthing Gardens, Texas; a daughter, Laura Kay Cormack; two treasured grandsons, Zachary Motley and his wife, Karen, Grand Prairie, Texas; and Brad Motley and his wife Emily, Haslet, Texas; nieces; a nephew; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Willard Leon Wright.
Funeral services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 3 at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Burial will be in the Larned City Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and until service time Thursday at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Heart Association in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www. beckwithmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Beckwith Mortuary*
P.O. Box 477
Larned, KS, 67550
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Nov. 1, 2011