Wanda Stence

Wanda Mae (Zittergruen) Stence was born September 26, 1925, to Louis and Elsie (Kruse) Zittergruen, in rural Garber, Iowa. She was baptized on December 13, 1925, and confirmed on July 23, 1939, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Elkport, Iowa. She died Friday, March 3, 2006, in the Central Community Hospital in Elkader, after a sudden illness. Wanda graduated from Elkport High School on May 21, 1942. After high school she attended Elkader Jr. College, Iowa Teachers College (UNI) and summer school at Luther College. She began teaching when she was 17, teaching in country schools near Communia and Elkport. On December 1, 1949, she was united in marriage to Jerry Stence at St. John Lutheran Church, Guttenberg. To this union, 3 children were born Daniel, Janet and Monica. On December 1, 1965, Wanda and Jerry opened the Kountry Manor Supper Club in National. For 27 years Wanda was the hostess, cook and bartender. Wanda would also greet you at the door of the Manor Inn Motel, from 1980-2003. She loved meeting people and was known throughout the area. Wanda enjoyed eating out with her family and friends. If you were in Thomas Dairy Bar on Tuesdays and Fridays you would see her and Helen at "their table" by the window. She also enjoyed the weekly meals and fellowship at mealsite and the monthly sew days at church. Wanda was a faithful member at St. Peter Lutheran Church and often said it just didnt feel like Sunday if she didnt go to church. Wanda would be seen around the community picking up "the girls" Fern, Helen, Alice and Irene to take them along to church, mealsite or wherever they needed to go. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends. She had the opportunity to take a trip to Alaska with Dan and Beth, to Florida with Janet and Karl and her grandchildren, and to Hawaii with Monica. She was a member of the Heritage Club and enjoyed the many bus trips. Family was central in Wandas life. She would spend time with her brothers and sisters as well as making a weekly Sunday trip to Guttenberg to have dinner with her parents. She was a devoted and loving mother. Her children were her pride and joy, enjoying the time she spent with them. Wanda loved being a grandma. Throughout the years she took walks, played in the park, ate out and traveled about with Jason, Jill and Adam. The grandchildren could be seen mowing her lawn and putting up the yearly Christmas lights display that could be seen blocks away. Wanda is survived by her children Daniel (Beth) of Des Moines, Janet (Karl) Johnson of St. Olaf, and Monica (Joe) of Elkader; three grandchildren Jason, Jill and Adam Johnson; three brothers Orville, Marvin and Harlan (Dorothy); two sisters Elaine Schroeder and Lorna (Butch) Roman; sister-in-law Annabell Zittergruen; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Delite Rodenberg and brother, Lavern.Visitation: 2-6 PM Sunday March 05, 2006 at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, GarnavilloFuneral Service: 11 AM Monday March 06, 2006 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, GarnavilloInterment: Garnavillo Cemetery Service Information A service summary is not available