Wanda Marilyn Svaleng

Wanda Marilyn Forehand Svaleng, 82, of Cottonwood, Arizona, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025. Wanda was born on August 4, 1943 in Clearwater, Florida to Nix Benjamin Forehand and Roberta (Susie) Lloyd Forehand.

In 1946, Wanda's family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where she attended school and graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1961. After graduation, she met Daniel Svaleng, her soulmate and the love of her life. They married in 1962, relocated to Cottonwood in 1979, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before Daniel's passing in 2012.

Wanda was the heart of her home and family -- a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and devoted wife. She also took great pride in her culinary talents, working at various restaurants over the years. Wanda was actively involved in women's clubs, Girl and Boy Scouts, softball, and enjoyed hiking, camping, and exploring ruins with her children. She was also passionate about crocheting, embroidery, and cake decorating. Wanda found joy in her garden, cooking meals that brought loved ones together, searching for new recipes, writing stories, enjoying time at the casino, and caring for her family. Her greatest happiness came from spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren -- those moments meant everything to her.

Wanda is survived by her son Karl Alan Svaleng (Diana), daughters Roberta Marie Racette (Keith), Connie Lynn Svaleng, and Lela Jane Svaleng, sisters-in-law Ruth Hockenberry, Barbara Breitenbucher, and Rose Roos, grandchildren Courtney Baiardi (Salvatore), Erin Racette, Ryan Racette (Kassie), Andrew Sturgeon (Kasha), Brandon Svaleng (Jena), Aubrey Bellia, John Bellia, and Dalen Bellia, sixteen great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her beloved hero dog Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nix and Roberta Forehand; her devoted husband, Daniel Svaleng; brothers, Chester and Charles Forehand; sister, Nellie Forehand Cavender; cherished brothers-in-law, James Breitenbucher, Walter "Eugene" Hockenberry, Carl Cavender, and Karl Erik Roos; and sisters-in-law Nancy Adele Roos Getz, Marjorie Tissaw Forehand Sikes, and Carol Forehand.

A private Celebration of Life for family and close friends will be held at a future date.