Wana Klasen

Wana Klasen, 84, of Ventura, California, passed away on April 19, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Wana was born in Corbin, Kentucky to Paul and Opal Van Cantfort on June 6, 1940, where she lived until the age of 7 when the family moved to California.
Wana graduated in 1958 from Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills and went on to earn a nursing degree from St. Vincent's Hospital School of Nursing in Los Angeles. She met her husband Owen on a blind date, and they married 6 months later on August 25, 1962. Wana and Owen lived in San Fernando, California until moving to Fillmore, now with four children in tow. They lived in Fillmore for 41 years before moving to Ventura in 2016.
When her children were in high school, Wana decided to expand her education, receiving a Bachelor's in Public Health and a Master's in Education Administration, both from Cal State University Northridge. She re-entered the field of nursing as a school nurse, working at both Channel Islands and Rio Mesa High Schools until retiring in 1993.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995, Wana turned to visual art as a means of healing and therapy. She taught herself to paint-first using watercolor, and then expanding to a wide array of media-and would go on to create thousands of works. Wana also enjoyed writing music and poetry, singing (or just humming), reading, and simply spending time in her garden or with her loved ones. She played the guitar and sang for many years in the choir at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore.
Wana is survived by her husband of 62 years, Owen; her children Terri, Matthew, Elise and Kurt; her grandchildren Blake Gurrola, Jeff Gurrola and Spencer Paez; two of her five siblings, Rennee Hernandez and Theresa Fitzpatrick, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by countless others to whom she was like a second mother or grandmother, a teacher, and a dear and loving friend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Palliative Care team at Community Memorial Hospital and the amazing team at Assisted Hospice for their kindness, care and compassion.
A celebration of Wana's life, art, and joyful spirit will be held at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on June 8, 2025, at 11 o'clock in the morning.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.
Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service
757 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001 805-643-8623