Wanda Lee Heller

Wanda Lee (Mickey) Heller passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Cedar Living Center in Oberlin, Kansas at the age of 83. She was born August 24, 1930 to Joy “Joe” and Florence (Avery) Mickey in Wakefield, Kansas. Wanda graduated from Wakefield Rural High School with the Class of 1948. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1963, and a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1973, both from Fort Hays State College. In addition, she attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, and took outreach classes through Colby Community College. On December 25, 1950, Wanda was united in marriage to LaVern Otto Heller in Wakefield, Kansas. To this union were born two children, Kathleen Anne and Robert LaVern. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women of Palco, Delta Kappa Gamma, The Order of the Eastern Star, HB Chapter PEO Sisterhood, and Fort Hays State University Alumni. A life-long learner herself, Wanda knew the value of education and passed that legacy on to countless students. From grade school to instrumental and vocal music to playing piano and giving lessons, Wanda never stopped molding and shaping the generations of young people who came after her. Her list of accomplishments is long, but the greatest and most loving influence she had was in her own family. From family vacations to camping trips, she loved spending time with those she loved the most. Wanda is survived by her husband LaVern, daughter Kathleen Shaffer and husband Brent of McCook, NE, son Robert Heller of Palco, and grandchildren Alicia Leith and husband Peter, Kirstyn Shaffer, and Andrew Heller. She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Florence. Gone is our performer of pleasant life-enriching songs. She has gone to a place where the piano is never out of tune, the saxophone never squeaks, and the tenors can reach all the high notes. But left behind is a chorus of people with melodies in their memories of a person with humor, intellect, and determination. We will Rest A Measure before we join Wanda in heavenly music.