Wanda Smith

It is with broken hearts of the family of Wanda (Hillman) Smith announces her passing on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at the Minneola Hospital, Minneola, Kansas at the age of 84 years.  Wanda was born on May 16, 1934 in Boise City, Oklahoma to Martin and Norma (Peggy) Hillman.  During her childhood years Wanda lost her father to cancer.  As a young girl Wanda spent time living with her grandmother while Peggy worked in the airplane factory in Wichita, Kansas.  Peggy remarried to Ferdinand Frank he became Wanda's daddy.  To this union Wanda gain three brother and two sisters which later she helped raise all her sibling while both Ferd and Peggy worked.  Wanda graduated from Fowler High School in Fowler, Kansas in 1952 then later attended Business College in Denver, Colorado.  On April 14, 1958 Wanda met Bernard W. Smith at a cafe in Meade, Kansas where she worked.  On July 3, 1958 Wanda and Bernard were married to this union 3 children were born Bernadine, Bernnie, and June.  Bernard and Wanda raised their children on the family ranch north of Gate, Oklahoma.  Wanda was very active in raising bucket calves, growing a large garden, putting up hay, and she thoroughly enjoyed calving heifers.  As her children progressed in school Wanda became a bus driver for the Gate School District.  Wanda enjoyed becoming the activity bus driver and keeper for the Gate Pirates.  In life Wanda enjoyed the company of her nine grandchildren and later in life her 9 great grandchildren.  Wanda was preceded in death by her father, Martin Hillman; mother, Norma (Peggy) Hillman Frank; daddy, Ferdinand Frank; sister, Mary Louise Frank; granddaughter, Daisy Smith. Wanda is survived by her husband, Bernard W Smith of 60 years of Gate, Oklahoma; children, Bernadine Harris and husband John of Rosston, Oklahoma, Bernnie Smith and wife Dixie of Gate, Oklahoma, June Smith of Gate, Oklahoma; Grandchildren, Jake Harris and Fiancé' Brittany Ratliff, Sierra Master and husband Randy, Trevor Harris and fiancé' Ashlyn Long, Levi Smith, Ashley Dixon and husband Jimmy, Blake Smith and wife Ashley, Melissa Wanger and husband Kirby, Barbara Hunter and husband Zach; great grandchildren, Zak, Jaisley, Kyzen Masters, Codie and Corie Dixon, Hazel and Logan Smith, Luke and Lane Wanger; sister, Marge Blattners and husband Harv of Grove, Oklahoma; brother, Jim Frank and wife Lucia of Hennessy, Oklahoma, Tom Frank and wife Nacy of Lake Elsinore, California, Wally Frank and wife Kelly of Norman, Oklahoma, numerous extended family members and friends.