Wanda Sue Shipley

Obituary
Wanda Sue Shipley
Feb. 5, 1950 - May 2, 2024
Wanda Sue Shipley, age 74, of Worland, Wyoming passed away on May 2nd, 2024 after a long battle with cardiovascular disease.
Wanda was born on February 5, 1950, to Alex and Viola Thiel at their home located at 809 Grace in Worland, Wyoming. Some of Wanda's favorite memories centered around the storybook childhood she shared with the neighborhood children and their many adventures growing up in a small town. In high school, Wanda worked as a carhop at the A&W drive-in and next at Ma Bell before graduation. One night, at Lloyd's Drive-In, Guy Shipley hopped into the back seat of her car, quickly introduced himself, and their love story began. After Wanda graduated from Worland High School in 1968, she married Guy on July 26, 1969. This year they would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.
After the wedding, Wanda followed Guy who had enlisted as an airman in the US Air Force. While stationed in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Wanda gave birth to their two sons, Tyler and Michael. The couple then moved back to Worland and soon welcomed their daughter Andrea to the family. Wanda worked as a bookkeeper at Stockgrowers State Bank (now known as ANB Bank) in Worland for 20 years and deeply enjoyed helping the people she served in Worland until her retirement.
During retirement, Wanda spent her time reading, gardening, tending indoor houseplants, sewing, playing cards, camping, and spending time with her family. Wanda was a voracious reader and could often be found with her nose in a good mystery or enjoying a Western on TV with a big bowl of homemade popcorn. There was very seldom a time that Wanda would not be available to answer her phone and listen intently to the happenings in her friends' and family's lives, offering advice, help, and a generous helping of tough love when needed.
The light of Wanda's life was her grandchildren, Bailey, Hannah, and Harper. Wanda was a breast cancer survivor and after her cancer recovery, she enjoyed spending time with each of grandchildren in the family's camper in the Big Horn Mountains before her first stroke in 2015. Wanda was beside herself with joy as Bailey made it possible to welcome four great grandchildren into her life. Every year Wanda gifted each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren a nutcracker for Christmas, a collection each child will treasure forever.
A generous heart, one of Wanda's many talents was always choosing the best gifts for people and at Christmas, thoughtfully wrapping each package in beautiful gift wrap and bows. She had an eye for interior design and her home was always tastefully decorated providing a point of pride for the family. Her pig collection was one-of-a-kind as well as the recipe for her homemade cherry cheesecakes she made for each holiday celebration.
Through all her health challenges, it was her faith and the love of her husband and children, family, and friends that gave her the strength and courage to beat each hurdle thrown her way. Even when she wasn't feeling at her best, she put on a brave face and welcomed the day.
Wanda was predeceased by her father Alex Thiel, mother Viola Thiel, and sister Lana Lang. She is survived by her husband Guy Shipley, brother Ron Thiel, children Tyler Shipley, Michael (Michelle) Shipley and Andrea Shipley (Drew Weston), grandchildren, Bailey (Trevor) Mitzel, Hannah Shipley, and Harper Shipley-Weston, great grandchildren, Violit, Journey, Misa and Dexter Mitzel.
A visitation will be held 5:00PM, Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Bryant Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Friday, May 10th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Make a Wish Foundation, an organization Wanda and her family deeply appreciate. Please send checks to PO Box 524 Worland, Wy 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.