Wanda Lucille Hanks

Wanda Lucille (Raney) Hanks, 81, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Presbyterian Manor in Emporia.

Wanda was born April 25, 1937, in Tulare, California, the daughter of Alva Robert and Jewell Ann (Hayes) Raney. Wanda, her mother, and brother moved to Norwood, Missouri at the age of 7 and she attended school there.

She was joined in marriage to Richard L. Hanks on December 5, 1952, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. They made their home in Arvonia, Kansas in 1962 and then moved to Lebo in 1992.They were married 59 years until Richard’s death on March 17, 2011.
She retired from Newman Memorial Hospital in Emporia as laundry supervisor after more than 25 years of service.

Wanda was a wizard with a crochet needle. She crocheted beautiful and colorful baby blankets, scarves, throws and a host of other items for friends, family and charity. She also enjoyed Bingo, an occasional trip to the Casino, playing pitch and was always up for a good game of “Gut” with her children and grandkids. Many holiday evenings ended with Wanda taking the final pot…or not, but everyone left richer and fuller for the time with Wanda.

Her devotion and love for her family came before everything. From nightly visits with her mother after work, trips to Missouri or Kansas City for sisters and brothers, to the most precious moments with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Wanda held these times most sacred and special in her heart. Her love and devotion to Richard gives new meaning to dedication and servant love. From the earliest years of their marriage to their final years together and his debilitating illness, Wanda never wavered from her commitment to their partnership and love.

To encapsulate Wanda’s life and love in these few lines and pages is truly impossible to accomplish. She welcomed family and friends to her home with the widest of smiles, biggest hugs and a good cup of coffee with a piece of pie. She was stern, stubborn, caring and loving and everyone who knew her came to love her for her kind words or her blunt truth.

Wanda will forever be remembered by daughter, Marla Kay (Clarence) Frye of Lebo; three sons, Randall Lee (Connie) Hanks of Forest, MS; Michael Roy (Donna) Hanks of Osage City, KS; and Douglas Lynn (Kristy) Hanks of Howard, KS.; two sisters, Nellie L. Snavely and Ruby M. Snavely, both of West Plains, MO; a brother, Ernest L. (Ann) Raney of Norwood, MO; ten grandchildren: Jennifer (Brent) Chenault of Taylorsville, MS; Stacey (Tim) Johnson of Homewood, MS; Heather (Brett) Hollingsworth of Forest, MS; Gypsy (Rob Boetefuer) Hanks of Longton, KS; Richard (Nicole) Hanks of Longton, KS; Lindsay (Mel Parks) Ehrhardt of Lebo, KS; Whitney (Jaycie) Hall of Wichita, KS; David (Cassie) Hanks of Reading, KS, Mark (Sarah Robinson) Hanks of Reading, KS, Rocky Hanks of Howard, KS; twelve great-grandchildren: Kaylee and Madelyn Chenault; Allie Brook and Grayson Johnson; Tyler and Lauren Hollingsworth; Malcom Raynor and River Boetefuer; Remington Hanks; Ashton, Jewell and Triston Ehrhardt.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Eugene Raney.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. Family will receive friends, Friday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hand In Hand Hospice or Lebo First Responders and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, KS 66856. Condolences may be expressed at Vanarsdalefs.com.