Larned - Thelma Wandalee "Wanda" Nelson, 81, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, was called from this earth on October 29, 2011, due to congestive heart failure.

She was nearly a lifetime resident of Pawnee County.
Wanda was born in her grandparent's farmhouse bedroom in Reno County, Kansas, July 27, 1930 to Willard K. Wright and Marie O. Wright. She graduated from Larned High School and Fort Hays State Teachers College and taught country school in Rush County for one year.

She married her high school sweetheart, Keith Nelson on May 15, 1949 and became a farmer's wife. When she was not driving the wheat truck during the summer harvest, she was employed by the county ASCS office. After many years at the ASCS office, she became a dental assistant for Dr. W.A. Spomer. In recent years, she became very interested in genealogy and produced many family history books for family members. Her research of family roots dated back to the 1600's.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Willard Leon Wright. Survivors are Keith Nelson, devoted husband of 62 years, a loving daughter, Linda Ann Motley and her husband Edward, of Dalworthing Gardens, TX and another daughter, Laura Kay Cormack. She is also survived by two treasured grandsons, Zachary Motley and his wife, Karen, of Grand Prairie, TX and Brad Motley and his wife Emily of Haslet, TX. She is also survived by nieces, a nephew and cousins.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned. Friends may call Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and until service time Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Larned City Cemetery, Larned.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Heart Association in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box, Larned, KS 67550.