Wanda Faye Bales

Wanda Faye Bales, age 69, passed away Friday, September 26, in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 10am at Dighton Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater.

She was born on April 15, 1956, to James Lee Patterson and Etta Faye Mason and grew up in Naturita, Colorado. In 1981, she moved to Oklahoma to raise her family with the love of her life, Micheal Bales.

Wanda worked her way up to foreman in housekeeping at Oklahoma State University, where she dedicated over 30 years of service. She left OSU to go to Morrison Elementary school as a custodian. It was here she found community. She would often return home with funny stories about the children she encountered each day. Wanda took pride in everything she did, firmly believing that “a job worth doing is worth doing well.”

Family was the center of Wanda’s life. Christmas was her favorite season—she began decorating as early as October, transforming her home into a wonderland. Nothing brought her more joy than seeing the delight on her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s faces as they entered her festive home. She cherished every moment spent together with her family.

Wanda was a woman of deep faith and a true encourager of others. She loved without limits and would do anything for anyone in need. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, grandmother, and Aunt who will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Bales; daughter, Bobbie Joe Hatfield; father, Jim Patterson; and brother, Jake Patterson; Mother-in-law, Leanna Sue Campbell

Wanda is survived by her children: Stephannie (Terry) Glenn of Bristow, Oklahoma, and Jessie (Bob) Alcorn of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Tina (Neil) Ghesquiere, of Apache Jct, Arizona; her mother, Faye Burgess of Stillwater; sisters: Darla (Rusty) Lynn of Colorado, Jeannie (Mike) Price of Morrison, Oklahoma, and Allie Buffington of Stillwater; grandchildren: Deven (Sydney) Robinson, Tracy (Emily) Eisensmith, Jacob (Sierra) Eisensmith, Kaitlyn (Hayden) Addington, and Tuker Glenn; as well as great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends who will all carry her memory in their hearts.

Memorial contributions can be made to Morrison Public Schools, in memo Elementary, c/o Dighton Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington St., Stillwater, Oklahoma 74075.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.