Wanda Naresha Smith (1929-2012)

SMITH, METCALF, CHALLAND, HYDE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/22/2012 at 15:32:20

Wanda Naresha Smith, 83, of Zwingle, Iowa passed away peacefully, on Monday May 14th, 2012, with her loving sister Monna Metcalf by her side. There will be a small grave side service at Linwood cemetery on Wednesday May 16th at 2 p.m. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd is in charge of arrangements.

Wanda was born on April 13, 1929, in Garber, IA, daughter of Earl Hyde and Vernetta (Challand) Hyde. She weighed a mere 2 and a half pounds at birth and by the grace of her God given strength, she repeatedly defied the rules of survival. Wanda worked at the Argo Corn Starch Factory in Argo, Illinois in her early years in which she shared many fond memories. She also worked at Dubuque Stamp.

She married Robert Thomas Smith in September, 1970 and moved to Kansas City, MO where she lived for 29 years before returning to her native homeland in 1999. Wanda always had a home away from home at her sister's, whether for an extended visit or recovering from many surgeries. She was nicknamed WaWa by her niece, Terry Lee otherwise known as "Tiddly" by Wanda, and is still referred to as WaWa by many who loved her.

Wanda was a self-taught master seamstress and florist who loved to can and bake. She loved to garden, sing, listen to music, dance and tend to her array of aquariums. She added her special touch to holidays and celebrations with her famous homemade jellies, baked beans and pies. Her humor and wit were one of Wanda's special gifts. She found the light side of life even in the darkest of her final days. She celebrated her 83rd birthday with her special cousin Margori Vogen of Indiana and she even traveled there by semi truck. Her daughter Sherrie called her "Wanda the Wanderer" as she loved to travel. She may have been born before television was even invented, but she still mastered current technology with her computer mouse in one hand and cell phone in the other.

Wanda was genuinely loved by her family and friends,and will be most endearingly missed.

Wanda is survived by her children Sherrie Lee Hyde, John Lewandowski and Challane Manahan. 7 grandchildren: Angela (Mike) Lewandowski-Hull, Dave and John Jr. Lewandowski , Tonya (Patrick) Brothers. Jordana and Alexander Thomas Al-Hamdan, and Danny Phelps. 7 great grandchildren: Bretton and Trenton Hull, Leah, Dylan and Taylor Lewandoski, Kara Watson and Ruby Phelps. Her loving companion and sister Monna Metcalf (Michael Pitz). Two nieces, Terry Lee "Tiddly" (Mark) Huseman and Aulanda (Kevin) Krause along with her 6 great nieces/nephews: Cortland, Matthew and Nicholas Huseman. Mitchell Stecklein and Cody and Hope Krause. Her beloved cousin, Margori Vogen.

Wanda was preceded in death by her son Terry Lee Lewandowski, her husband Robert Thomas Smith, and good friend David Lux.

The family wishes to thank her Doctors and Nurses who followed her care so closely and helped her maintain a wonderful quality of life right up until the end. Especially, Dr. Salas, Dr. Whalen and nurse Charlie McCoy, and Dr. Ramabadran and her visiting nurses.