Wanda Jean Kirchhoff

These were the Great Depression years and she lived with her great grandmother Mary Ann (Evans) Goodall and grandmother Mary Jane (Goodall) Ferguson Hobbs on the Goodall Farm in Hickory, Murray County, Oklahoma. She attended local schools while her mother Lela Ferguson Stephens worked outside the area. Later, she left Oklahoma and joined her parents in Highland Park, Michigan.

Upon graduating from Highland Park High School, she attended Southern Methodist University Nursing School in Dallas, Texas. There she met medical intern Clyde August Kirchhoff, M.D and they married on October 19, 1946. They lived in Philadelphia and also in Washington DC while Clyde completed his medical training at the Children’s Hospitals. Clyde was transferred to Victorville, California to serve as an Army base physician and she worked as a nurse.

Upon completing his military obligation, Clyde accepted a position with San Buena Ventura Medical Clinic and they moved to Ventura in 1951and started their family. They had three children and were the first family to reside in The Ventura Keys, and later settled into farm life on a Santa Paula avocado ranch. Dr. Kirchhoff retired from practicing pediatric medicine in 1985. The Kirchhoff’s enjoyed travel and had fabulous experiences circling the globe visiting all continents but Antarctica yet their homes in Santa Paula and on Echo Lake in Big Fork, Montana remained their happiest hearth moments.

Wanda was active in the PTA and as a school volunteer during her children’s school years. She helped set up the Library at Loma Vista Elementary School; worked at Will Rogers Elementary School; and worked in Ventura High School nursing office 1968-1972 while her sons were there. Very supportive of the VHS Active swim and water polo athletics program; she co-founded VHS Creative Arts Foundation with husband Clyde Kirchhoff, M.D. She was also active in the Ventura County Medical Society Alliance for 40 years. Wanda was President of CCMS Alliance in 1974-75 and active with the Golden Girls. A Life Member in Assistance League from 1975 to 2005, she served on the executive board and Regional Council for 4 years and worked regularly at the Bargain Bin Thrift Shop. She was a devoted member of The First United Methodist Church, in Ventura.

Wanda was intensely proud of her hardworking English, Irish and Scottish Southern Pioneer ancestor roots counting several interesting persons in her pre-American Revolutionary Colonial lineage. An avid reader and history lover, she was very social, loved attending the theatre and medical society events, and enjoyed “looking her best”. Gracious, generous, and truly kind hearted, she delighted in spending time with her friends, was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother who will be sorely missed.

Her mother Lela, husband Clyde, and her Goodall/Ferguson and Henry cousins have all preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Tim and Lynne Kirchhoff of Alta Loma, CA, Ron Kirchhoff a college professor in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Kathryn and John Wrench of Los Olivos, CA; and four grandchildren, Melissa and Kevin Kirchhoff, and Sarah and Jordon Wrench.

No Memorial Service is planned and gifts or flowers are not necessary. It would make her happiest if you contributed something back to society by volunteering or donating to the charity of your choice. She had a wonderful life and was loved and valued by her family and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.