Wanda Mae Gorse

It is with heavy hearts and profound grief that we announce the passing of Wanda Mae Gorse, 85, who departed this life on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, due to natural causes. Born on Monday, February 17, 1941, to the late Napoleon and Anna (Starkey) Braswell, Wanda’s existence was light, love, and enduring legacy, a tapestry woven with threads of kindness. She cherished her children: Anna Hatridge “Bill Richardson”, David (Barbie) Gorse, Marty (Anna) Gorse, Andy Gorse and Sara (Justin) Dietiker; grandchildren, Nicholas Hatridge, Brandy Bennett, Stephanie Crawford, Meghan Randolph, Jessica Owens, Chris McDonald, Paige Gorse, Andrea Gorse; great-grandchildren, Gabriel Hatridge, Elise Hatridge, Collin Bennett, Kelsey Bennett, Grace Bennett, Rechelle Truskowski, Gavin Gorse, Khloe Owens, Zoey Owens, Sophia Randolph, Spencer Randolph, and Stella Randolph, alongside her very beloved sister, Barbara Braswell and best friend, Margaret Huff.

Wanda was so much more than a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend.

A gifted seamstress, Wanda dedicated herself to her craft, her needle and thread entwining her spirit with each delicate stitch. Each piece she created was a reflection of her essence, a testimony of love, care, and creativity that graced the lives of others.

In harmony with her passions, Wanda flourished within her garden, a sanctuary where blossoms mirrored the beauty of her soul. An active member of the Bonne Terre Garden Club, she nurtured not only plants but also the connections that brought her immense joy the relationships that blossomed under her tender care.

A devoted Christian, Wanda lived her faith through selfless acts of kindness and compassion, embodying the love she so freely shared. Her spirit will remind us always of the beauty of love in action, a legacy to be cherished and passed down through generations.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Marion Braswell, Dorothy (Helen) Myers, Warren Braswell, Donald Braswell; great-grandson, Mason Gorse and the father of her children, Joseph Gorse, Jr.

In honor of Wanda Mae Gorse, the family will host a celebration of her life on Saturday, April 25, 2026 12:00 PM at Marquand Community Center 115 North Martha Street Marquand, Missouri 63655. This will be a potluck-style gathering, and family and friends are warmly invited to attend, share memories, and celebrate Wanda’s life together. Friends and loved ones will be invited to gather, share memories, and reflect on the light she brought into their lives. This intimate ceremony will be a time of remembrance and reverence, allowing those who knew her to pay tribute to a truly remarkable woman.

Arrangements are under the direction of C. Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Bonne Terre.