Wanda Jean Walker

Wanda was born to Chet and Diane Walker in Colorado Springs. After their move to Oak Creek, WI, Wanda was joined by the births of her brother, Kim, and sister Pam. Wanda met her future husband, Dave, before graduating from Oak Creek High School. After Dave graduated from college, Wanda and Dave married on August 2, 1980. They traveled to Germany for their honeymoon.

Wanda became a stay-at-home mother when her son, William, was born. William soon had a baby sister Diana. Her life was challenged when her husband’s company transferred him to the Kokomo facility. She left her Milwaukee friends and family to move to Kokomo.

Once William and Diana were in school, Wanda became a cafeteria cook; she only recently retired from Howard Elementary after more than 20 years. Wanda supported her daughter’s love of gymnastics as well as her children’s Northwestern High School marching band (she was a pit crew Mom!). She travelled to Los Angeles and later Dallas to support her children’s Northwestern High School Robotics’ international competitions.

Wanda also contributed to our community. She shared her gift of growing bonsai trees with three clubs: the Bonsai Club of Lafayette (which she helped establish in 1994), the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club and the Michiana Bonsai Study. She had only recently retired from the West Lafayette Global Fest, where she displayed her bonsai trees. Wanda was also secretary for the Kokomo Friends of the Library. She was an actress for the Kokomo Historic Society’s Seiberling Wedding Reenactment, where she performed in 1893 period costume. Additionally, to express her faith in God, Wanda taught religious education for twenty years at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

Wanda loved to travel. Among her journeys, she witnessed solar eclipses in Winnipeg and La Paz Mexico, in Kentucky and Indianapolis. She visited 45 states; many times camping. Wanda invited family on her journeys which enriched our experiences. Family was everything to Wanda.

While in Europe, Wanda fell in love with the swans swimming in Lake Constance. That love was amplified with the porcelain swans in King Ludwig’s castle. This love is reflected in her swan collection. Around this time, Wanda began crocheting afghan blankets for family members; later on she was able to donate some of her artistic work.

Wanda will leave a void in our lives; yet, we are so enriched with the experience of her love.

A public visitation for Wanda will be held Friday, November 14, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902. Wanda will be laid to rest in Bayside Cemetery, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. There will also be a visitation in Wisconsin at Forbes Funeral Home, 319 W. Spruce St. on November 21, 2025, from 11:00AM until 1:00 PM, the time of her funeral service.