Wanda Louise Bell

Bell, Wanda Louise, age 85, loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend, went to be with her Lord on Sunday May 25th, 2008. Wanda loved life, tirelessly devoting herself to her family, friends and church. She brightened the lives of everyone that knew her and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Wanda was born on March 7th, 1923 in Neloganey, Oklahoma to Elsie and Fred Howard. She graduated from Inman High School and attended Emporia State Teachers College. She taught elementary school in Florence, Kansas. She married Elmer Marsden Bell on January 5th, 1946. While her husband was in the Navy, they lived on the east coast, where 3 of her 4 children were born. After he retired from the Navy in 1958, they moved to Wichita. She enjoyed playing bridge, digging in the dirt of her gardens, attending music theatre, traveling, and dressing as a wicked witch every Halloween. She loved sewing, making quilts and clothing; she embroidered and created many treasured works of art. She was an avid reader, participated in many book clubs and read for KMUW Radio Reading Service. Wanda loved sports, especially KSU basketball and Royals Baseball. A favorite story was the year she won the Final Four Basketball pool. She was an integral part of the life of Woodland United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. She touched the lives of generations by teaching Sunday School, tutoring children after school, directing the Children's Christmas Pageants, Vacation Bible School, and acting in the church's theatrical programs. She also worked on many church committees. A fervent believer in volunteerism, Wanda was the Volunteer Coordinator of the Meals on Wheels program for Senior Services of Wichita from 1980-1996. Additionally, she volunteered at Botanica, Music Theater of Wichita, and Camp Fire, Inc. She participated in a Monarch Butterfly banding program, the HOOP program and helped a boy with Cystic Fibrosis. She loved poetry, creating her own masterpieces that chronicled her important experiences. She discovered the joy of traveling later in her life. She experienced England by barge, traveled around Ireland, Scotland and Wales. She was able to trace her ancestors to Thornton Abbey in England where she located the gravesites. At 70 years old, she canoed in the Rain Forests of Costa Rica and taught local children to play Crazy Eights. She is survived by daughter Linda and husband, Vernon Butler of Wichita; son John and wife, Rebecca Bell of Wichita; daughter Susan Bell of Livonia, NY; daughter Carol Bell and husband, Tom Walter of St. Cloud, MN; grandchildren Jacob and Christina Starnes of Clearwater; John and Dawn Starnes of Wichita; Harley Bell of Tucson, AZ; Carl Bell of Wichita; Connie Bell of Wichita; Keagan Bell French of Livonia, NY; great-grandchildren Aaron, Mia, Abraham, and Braedon Starnes and Bailey Bell; and many other loving family members and close friends. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elmer M. Bell, brothers James, Joe, Ralph, and Jack Howard, and grandson Aaron Starnes. Memorials to Woodland United Methodist Church and Botanica The Wichita Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of Cochran Mortuary. Services will be held Thursday May 29th, 2008, 11:00am at Woodland United Methodist Church with reception following. Graveside services will be held at 3:00pm in Florence, KS. To sign a guest book or leave a condolence go to www.cochranmortuary.com