Clela Virginia Wanamaker, 97, passed away peacefully at her home in Sun City West, Arizona, December 9, 2018, with her husband of 72 years by her side. Clela was born January 9, 1921, in Iowa, the daughter of John Magnus and Anne Marie Meng Jensen. Clela had a long and distinguished career as a registered nurse. She worked at Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, Iowa, before she and her husband moved to Wayzata, Minnesota in 1949, where she worked as an industrial nurse for 27 years at Honeywell retiring in 1979. She married Bohn E. Wanamaker (her “Mr. Wonderful”) October 17, 1946, in Estherville, Iowa. They lived most of their married life in Wayzata, Minnesota, retiring in Sun City West, Arizona in 1980. Clela was an accomplished archery champion. Her husband, Bohn, was her coach and was one of four qualified archery coaches in Minnesota in 1966. Her first award came in 1966 when she finished 10th in the 82nd National Archery Tournament where she zeroed in 492 arrows and was the first to record a “Six Gold” by shooting six arrows in succession into the gold center of the target at 40 yards. Remarkably, Clela accomplished that feat after beginning serious practice less than a year earlier. Almost as incredible was that she was 45 years old at the time. The following year she added two silver and two bronze medals in the nationals. In 1969, she qualified for the world championships. Also, in 1969 she won the first of seven Minnesota state championships. In 1971, she was the first woman in the United States to shoot 1,200 scores back-to-back. Only three other women at that time had ever shot a 1,200 in the United States. Clela later became involved in pistol shooting and won many awards in that sport as well. More than 30 years ago, Clela made a decision to try to do something about obesity in the Sun City West community and started a diet group, Win and Lose. Clela was nominated for the “Salute to Senior Service Contest” for recognition of her 31 years of volunteer services, helping hundreds of men and women lose their excess weight and get healthy. As a result of this contest, in early summer of 2013 she was named Arizona Outstanding Senior Volunteer. She continued this club until she was unable to about six months ago. She was predeceased by her parents and sister and brother-in-law, Elmer and Lila V. Jensen Borcher. She is survived by her beloved husband, Bohn of Sun City West, Arizona. Also surviving are special friends Tonie Alldredge Miller, Diane Penninger and Dr. Jeffrey Alldredge, their “extended family”. A special thank you to Hospice of the Valley for their loving care of Clela in her time of need. Special thanks to Hospice of the Valley nurses, Bernie and Sarah, and CNA Zoe. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations are sent to Hospice of the Valley in memory of Clela at: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Service will be held Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 12:00 pm at Sunland Mortuary, Sun City, Arizona. There will be no viewing prior to or after the service.
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