Wanda Schenk Welles

Wanda Schenk was born in Oregon City, Oregon, where her parents, Nebraska farmers, had moved in search of rain. Once there, they soon decided there is such a thing as too much rain, and relocated to Pasadena, California. At an early age, Wanda gave her life to Jesus and became active in the Pasadena Four Square Church and later, Lake Avenue Congregational Church, where she met Bob Welles. They were married in 1960 and drove east to Wheaton, Illinois, with its winters-a new experience for Wanda. She completed her BA in education at Wheaton College and taught a year before the couple returned to California. 1966 found them in Redlands, in their own home, and soon with two children. As the children progressed through the public schools, Wanda was very active in PTA, holding every office except president (she did not like to talk in front of a group). She was also an Associate of the Redlands Bowl and a student and discussion leader in Bible Study Fellowship and Community Bible Study. She and Bob joined other couples in hiking our mountains and backpacking in the Sierras. Then for a dozen years, she lovingly took care of young children in her home while their parents worked. As a member of the congregation and as a volunteer, she was blessed by several area churches, including Bethany Reformed, Yucaipa First Baptist, Redlands First Baptist, and Redlands First Congregational. In her declining years, she was gently cared for at Mission Commons and at Summerfield Memory Care. She is survived by her husband, her sisters, Val Alan and Donna Vollaire, her children, Rick Welles and Ruth Wardschenk, and her granddaughter, Lacey Wardschenk. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Congregational Church, 2 West Olive Avenue, Redlands, California at 3pm on Saturday, September 16, 2023.