Wanda Vivian Wise, 86, of 901 Shevlin Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
She was born Aug. 3, 1922, in Chokio, Mn. to the late Edward and Helen Schmidt.
Wanda grew up and attended school in Herman, Mn., where she lived on the family farm. She graduated from beauty college in Minneapolis, where she met Don during the war. On Feb. 22, 1946, they were united in marriage.
While in Minneapolis, she raised her four children and assisted her husband, Don, in the day-to-day operations of their home construction company, “Birch and Wise Construction.”
In June, 1966, they moved to Canada after purchasing and operating Larssons Camps in Nestor Falls, Ont. Upon the sale of the tourist camps in 1976, she started managing the local Tourist Information Centre in Nestor Falls.
Wanda became very involved in the Nestor Falls United Church, and was well-known for baking and the bake sales she attended. Her elephant tracks will be greatly missed.
In 2004, Wanda moved to Fort Frances, where she has resided since.
Her children say they were blessed to have a God-fearing mom to keep them all in line. She will be greatly missed by family and her numerous friends at Green Manor.
She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Wise; and one sister, Leta-Mae Eaton.
Wanda is survived by her four children, Rita Collins of Marion, Iowa, Gregory Wise of Nestor Falls, Ont., Keith Wise and wife, Judy, of Dryden, Ont., and Brad Wise and wife, Valerie, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and one sister, Arlyn and husband, Jack Lampert.
Cremation will take place at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Mn.
A memorial service to celebrate Wanda’s life will be held at the Nestor Falls United Church in Nestor Falls at a later date.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Nestor Falls United Church, P.O. Box 189, Nestor Falls, Ont.,
P0X 1K0 or to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
To Those I Loved and
Those Who Loved Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go,
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it’s time I travelled on alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on;
So if you need me, call and I will come,
Though you can’t see me or touch me, I’ll be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear,
All of my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I’ll greet you with a smile and say,
“Welcome home.”
Thanks mom for everything and we miss you.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com
