Her mother, Bertha Demuth (Oxrider), gave birth to Wanda on Oct. 6, 1924. Her father, Clarence Demuth, delivered her in the family home in Fairmont, Minn., when the country doctor wasn’t able to make it fast enough while riding his bike from his prior house call.

Wanda lived in Fairmont during the Great Depression until she was 18, when she moved to Portland, Oregon after graduating from Fairmont High School, class of 1942. Her parents moved to Oregon to find work in the ship yards in Portland supporting the war effort of World War II. In Fairmont, Wanda worked at the dime store downtown, and in Portland she went to work for the president of Equitable Savings and Loan.

She was active at First United Methodist Church in Portland, and also in volunteering at the USO during the war years. She was introduced to Bob Blanding by mutual friends at FUMC. After declining his first proposal, Wanda agreed to marry Bob, and they were wed in November 1948 in Portland. After a Thanksgiving honeymoon (they only had enough vacation time for a long holiday weekend) in Victoria, British Columbia, Wanda joined Bob in Eugene where he worked for Eugene Fruit Growers. They lived in Eugene for 24 years before moving to Salem, Oregon in 1972. Wanda and Bob were married for 43 years until Bob’s death in 1992.

Wanda returned to school in the 1970’s and earned an associates degree at Chemeketa Community College, returning to the workforce and spending time working in the A.S.C.C.C. (Associated Students) office at Chemeketa while a student, then at the PIA Western Alliance (Professional Insurance Agents) and the TED Center (Technology, Enterprise & Development – a not for profit supporting entrepreneurship) until her retirement in 1993.

Wanda was also active volunteering, including being a life member of the Oregon Congress of Parents and Teachers for her work with various PTA organizations from the Bethel School District in Eugene to the Salem School District. She regularly volunteered in school libraries in addition to her PTO work, and she and Bob established McKay High School’s first drug/alcohol free all night graduation party for the class of 1986. Wanda and Bob also hosted several exchange students from around the world who were attending the University of Oregon during their time in Eugene. Wanda was also a regular volunteer at Trinity United Methodist Church in Eugene, and First United Methodist Church in Salem, putting her love of crafting to good use with floral arrangements and other creative support for the congregations. She served as the CEO of the Blanding household where she did yeoman’s work ensuring the family was in optimal

position to attack life’s challenges at the time – and for all time.

In addition to Bertha, Clarence, and Bob, she is preceded in death by her brother and sisterJohn and Carol, as well as her oldest daughter, Sharman Gerdes.

She is survived by her daughter and son, Kim and Robert; son-in-law, Michael Gerdes; daughter-in-law, Staci; grandchildren, Maryn, Mikaelyn, Halleigh and Ayden; and her great-grandchild, Finn. Her fondest wish is for her neighbors, caregivers, friends and family to enjoy life and each other, to help and support each other and all others, and find ways to make a positive difference in the world. Rest in peace Wanda…

In honor of Wanda, memorial donations may be made to the Marion Polk Food Share at marionpolkfoodshare.org.

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