Wanda Rosetta (Bracelin) Smith

Wanda Rosetta Smith was born November 23, 1919 in St. Francis, Kansas and died February 2, 2017 in Yuma, Colorado at the age of 97.

     She was the fifth of eleven children born to James and Emma Louise (Felzien) Bracelin. She was educated at the Sunny Ridge country school and by an assortment of brothers and sisters.

      On March 26, 1938, she married Vernon Wegner in  Hills City, Kansas and together they made a home south of Yuma for 23 years, until moving to town in 1961. In 1945, a son, Larry Wegner was born to this union.

     Following Vernon's death in 1964, she married long time friend Harvey "Smitty" Smith and resided for 25 years in Yuma at their home on South Birch. Following Harvey's death, she remained in her home until a series of falls made it unsafe. She then resided at Yuma Life Care for the past year and a half.

     After 10 years of being alone, she enjoyed a long companionship with her friend Marvin Thomas.

     Almost everyone benefited from Wanda's contagious laughter and smiles and after having been a part of the Yuma community for nearly 80 years, it's safe to say
"everyone knew Wanda," (or perhaps, "Wanda knew everybody") and could spot her zipping around town in her beloved little Nissan, a stick shift and without power steering, which she drove until she was 94. She never left the house until her chores were done, and then she was out visiting and in search of lunch.  

       It goes without saying that she was a hard worker being a farmer's wife (cooking for harvesters, milking cows), but also managed throughout the years to enjoy a variety of jobs including, among others, Lutz' Jewelry (a favorite), opening the new Shop-All and processing turkeys at the Gisi plant (not a favorite).

      She was thrilled to be a part of the Yuma Areans, especially performing in the 1983 hit, The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Wanda loved to sing and for many years sang in the choir at St John's Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Mary Martha Guild, the social Otyokwa club and Commercial Women’s club.

                Wanda had a flair for decorating and represented Home Interiors Company for many years and as an artist, she worked in ceramics and painted in water colors. She loved happy music and was a proud fan of her son Larry, following his entertaining career in many different states.

                Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Vernon Wegner and Harvey Smith; her companion Marvin Thomas; five sisters, Pearl Goeglein, Hollis Howard, Dorothy Stephenson, Joyce Lampe and Katheryn Kuhlman. And brothers Harold, Warren, Ray and Rex.

     She is survived by her brother Don and wife Marilynn of El Sobrante, California and her son Larry Wegner of Denver, as well as many friends, nieces and nephews.

The service was held at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado on Wednesday February 8, 2017 at 10:30 A.M.  The service was officiated by Dennis Fitzpatrick and the services were directed by Baucke Funeral Home.