Wanda E. Leonard-Christen, 93 of Fort Wayne passed away at 6:00 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at her residence. Wanda was a graduate of New Haven High School, and graduated in 11 years. She was married on June 5, 1942 to Willard J. Leonard who preceded her in death after 50 years of loving marriage. Wanda and Willard farmed in Fort Wayne and then owned and operated Leonard’s Grocery Store in Lancaster, Huntington County for 11 years. They then moved to Huntington and purchased South Side Furniture. They owned the furniture business for 14 years before selling it to their surviving son, Dan Leonard in 1978. After Willard’s death, Wanda married Melvin Kuhn. Wanda and Mel built a new home in the Aboite area of Fort Wayne. After Melvin’s death, Wanda married Donald Christen of Fort Wayne. After Donald’s death, Wanda enjoyed her later years spending time with her significant other, Louis H. Bowman of Waynedale. Louie was a WWII veteran and preceded her in death. Wanda became a private pilot in 1956, and received a national award for soloing in the least amount of hours of any woman in the country. Wanda was a past Worthy Matron in the Huntington Floral Chapter OES, as well as a past Grand Chapter State Star Point for Indiana. She was crowned the Indiana Girl of the Year for the Indiana State Council of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority in 1963. She was a member of ABWA and was also a member of Altrusa and was a past board of trustee’s member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntington. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with all the children of her family. Wanda will be missed by family members and friends, both local and afar. Her kindness, humor and warmth were felt by all who met her.
Wanda was born on February 5, 1925 in Fort Wayne, the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Furthmiller) Putman, Sr.
Survivors include a son: Daniel (Lydia) Leonard of Huntington; four grandchildren: Julia (Jason) Naglich of Munster, Ryan (Kristie) Wall of Huntington, David (G’anna) Leonard of Huntington, Erin Wall of Huntington; four great grandchildren: Dylan Wall, Jennifer Leonard, Alex Wall and Hannah Leonard all of Huntington and a son-in-law: Jim Wall of Huntington.
She was preceded in death by three husbands and a companion, a daughter: Gloria Wall of Huntington and two brothers: Charles Putman, Jr. of Homestead, FL and Dr. Richard Putman of Englewood, FL.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2018 from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 27, 2018 at 10:00 am at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Rev. Steve McPeek officiating.
Interment will be at the Pilgrims Rest Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made out to Trinity United Methodist Church in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.
