Wanda Ruth Bliss 1921 - 2014

BLISS, WETTERGREN, FRANK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/30/2014 at 22:10:19

Sioux City Journal
28 October 2014

SIOUX CITY | Wanda Ruth Bliss, 93, formerly of Sioux City, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, surrounded by her family at her residence in Seguin, Texas.

Wanda was born on a quaint little farm in Royal, Iowa, on Feb. 11, 1921, to John and Hilda (Wettergren) Frank. She graduated from high school in Royal and moved to Sioux City shortly after. There she met new friends and moved with them to California and became one of the original Rosie the Riveters. When she completed her service, she settled back in Sioux City and enrolled in beauty school. She then opened Wanda's Beauty Shop.

A few years later, she met and swept Dorance "Ray" Bliss off his feet and they were married that same year on Sept. 18, 1948. It was truly love at first sight and they spent 66 wonderful years of wedded "Bliss" together doing things they both loved. Later in life, they moved to Seguin to be closer to family.

She was an active member of the Catholic church and was a lifetime honorary member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She also was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was always active with her volunteering, loved camping with her family and friends, bowling, and socializing.

Wanda and Ray loved to travel and went all over the United States with the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Sioux City. They took yearly vacations with their children and spent weekends camping at their favorite spot in Yankton, S.D.

Even when they weren't on the road, she continued serving her loyal beauty shop patrons in her home. Ray and Wanda retired to Sarasota, Fla., but that didn't stop her activity. She loved picnics on Siesta Key Beach and collecting shells on long walks. They both volunteered at the Red Sox baseball games selling Knight Dogs for the Knights of Columbus.

She is survived by her husband, Ray; their five children, Anita Bliss Voigt and her husband, Andy Voigt of Dallas, Texas, Larry Bliss of Seguin, Mary Bliss Barkley and her husband, Mike Barkley of Sioux City, Patti Bliss Holcomb and her husband, Steve Holcomb of Seguin, and Gloria Bliss Lawson and her husband, Tommy Lawson of Perry, Ga.; and seven grandchildren, Justine Barkley of Sioux City, Alexa Barkley of Overland Park, Kan., Kaite and Ellys Barkley of Sioux City, Rachel and Brandon Bliss of Dallas, Texas, Aaron Lawson, Matthew Lawson and Hannah Lawson, all of Perry, Ga.

Wanda will be missed dearly by her family and all that knew her for her quick wit, great humor, and loving personality