Wanda Louise Malone

Sublette - Wanda Louise Lauppe Malone, 89, died Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. She was born on March 16, 1936, on the family farm in rural Meade County to Edgar and Mary (Fuhrman) Lauppe; the second of six children.

Wanda grew up on the family farm with her siblings and attended Moundview, a small country school, through the eighth grade before moving to Meade with her older brother, Bill. Together, she and Bill lived with their grandma Etta Lauppe while attending and graduating from Meade High School in 1954. Following graduation, Wanda attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia to fulfill her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. She received an elementary provisional teaching certificate in 1956 and then taught kindergarten and 2nd grade in Plains, Kansas. During the summers she furthered her education by attending Eastern Illinois State College in Charleston, Illinois and Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado. She married Leon Malone on August 24, 1958, and together they raised three daughters. They later divorced.

After their girls got older, she worked in the offices of Collingwood Grain and Old Santa Fe Feeders both near Sublette, Kansas. In 1984, she bought Superior Cleaners and for the next 30 years, she worked in her dry-cleaning and sewing alteration business. The "Cleaners" was a long-standing staple in the community. Wanda was a talented and hard working seamstress known for her hand embroidery, mending jobs, and quilting expertise. She loved spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She had a deep appreciation for history, often visiting historical sites all over and could always be found in a quilt or fabric shop. She loved attending her grandchildren's sporting events, cattle shows, academic competitions, art shows, or just being present in their lives.

Wanda was a devoted member of the Sublette United Methodist Church. She continued her fellowship in the Methodist Church by teaching Sunday School classes, taking church attendance, serving on committees, and managing the community thrift shop for many years.

Wanda is survived by her daughters, Debra Brown and husband Kelly of Sublette, Connie VanWinkle and husband Dave of Fowler, and Pamela Tonnessen of Towner, North Dakota; five grandchildren, Stephanie Boston and husband Todd of Elmwood, Oklahoma, Dr. Jacob Hessman and wife Meghan of Salina, Cooper Tonnessen of Towner, North Dakota, Kristi Tonnessen (Steven Eskildsen) of Rugby, North Dakota, and Travis Powell (Morgan Heslin) of Denver, Colorado; great grandchildren, Cash Boston, Liam Hessman, Casen Boston, Collins Boston, and Sadie Hessman; brother, Olis G Lauppe; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, William, Paul, and George; sister, Norma Overbay; and son-in-law, Terry Tonnessen.

Funeral service will be held at Sublette United Methodist Church on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Kyle Woodrow presiding. A private family burial will take place at Graceland Cemetery, Meade. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Sublette on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family receiving friends from 4-6 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Sublette United Methodist Church or Pioneer Manor in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.