Wanda Marie Moller

Wanda Marie (Smith) Moller, age 82, of Cherokee, IA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the home of her daughter Shelley, who cared for her with endless love and tenderness in the months and years leading up to her passing. She spent her final days surrounded by-and being cared for by-all the strong women she helped raise.
Wanda was born in Cherokee, IA, on September 8, 1943, the daughter of Joseph Ray and Marie June Smith. She was a proud farm girl whose interests included 4-H and countless shenanigans. She graduated from Cherokee Washington High School in 1961. Wanda briefly attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, now known as the University of Northern Iowa. Her college education was cut short when she fell for the charm of our father, Darrel Laverne Moller, and her life joyfully took a different direction. On October 12, 1963, they were united in marriage at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Cherokee.
Her journey into motherhood began with her first son, Jim, and blossomed with the arrivals of her daughters, Shelley and Traci, followed soon after by her son, Thad.
Wanda and Darrel made their home and raised their children in Cherokee before relocating to Arnolds Park, IA, where they spent 23 happy years before eventually returning to Cherokee. Throughout her life, Wanda held many roles and took great pride in her work. In the early years of her marriage, she worked part-time at the airport as an incoming aircraft radio operator. She later served as an Extension Aide for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and as a secretary for the Iowa Health Systems Agency in Cherokee. After relocating to Arnolds Park, Wanda continued her career as a dedicated secretary for Sandy Law Firm, a position she held for many years.
It was her role as mother, though, that was her most cherished. She wiped our tears, bandaged our boo-boos, swatted our butts with a wooden spoon, and meticulously typed every term paper we ever had.
Wanda enjoyed years of camping and tending to her flower garden. Her love of crossword puzzles gave her an impressive vocabulary-she delighted in using words like facetious and pernicious, much to our father's frustration. She loved her steaks well done and cooked her hamburgers like hockey pucks. She never missed an episode of Big Brother, Bering Sea Gold, or Naked and Afraid. She was extremely proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their events whenever her health allowed.
She also left behind a lot of stuff-including 27 combs, bank statements from 30 years ago, and a hundred "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" containers-just in case. We loved her dearly and will miss her tenacity, sass, and wicked sense of humor.
One of her proudest accomplishments came during her high school years, when she and her dear friend Janice (Corrington) Witcombe won the Iowa State Fair blue ribbon for their famous "Dasher Dandy" ice cream. That recipe became a beloved family tradition, churned out for every birthday and special occasion. Though she guarded the recipe closely throughout her life, it feels only right that in her passing, we share it as her legacy to all.
Dasher Dandy Ice Cream
Ingredients: 6 eggs slightly beaten
Add: 2 C Sugar 1 T Vanilla ¼ t Almond Extract ¼ t Lemon Extract
Mix together and pour into the freezer container. Add 1 Quart Cream to the mixture. Then add Whole Milk to the FULL line on the 1 gallon freezer container.
Secure freezer motor. Add ice and salt mixed together to cover the container. Start motor and begin rotation. Add more ice/salt as necessary until ice cream is frozen. Enjoy!
Wanda is survived by her children: Jim Moller of Cherokee; Shelley (Mark) Benson of Meriden; and Traci (Les) Lemley of Waukee; nine grandchildren: Eric Mongan, Traci (Adam) Henning, Gary Benson, McKayla Benson, Ashley (Charles) Sigman, Amber (Nate) Ullom, Mason Moller, Montana Moller, and Wyatt Lemley; seven great-grandchildren; and three siblings: Joe Smith, Lowell (Paula) Smith, and Hallie (Kevin) Dessel. She is also survived by her in-laws: Mike (Roxanne) Moller, Ross Rekemeyer, and Anne Smith.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Darrel Moller; her son, Thad Moller; her parents, Joseph Ray and Marie Smith; and her siblings, Phyllis Rekemeyer and Bill Smith.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 10:00am til 11:00am at Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, with service and burial immediately to follow.