Wanda’s life began on June 10, 1927, the daughter of Benjamin and Rena (Pearson) Shirk in Midian, Kansas. She attended Midian Grade School, Oil Hill School and graduated from El Dorado High School in 1945. Wanda married Clarence A. Gates in El Dorado in 1945. She was a cosmetologist in El Dorado for 37 years. Clarence and Wanda were lifetime members of the First Christian Church. She enjoyed being a homemaker and reading.

Her loving family includes her son, Dennis (Elaine) Gates of El Dorado; daughters, Sandra (Burl) Arborgast of El Dorado and Genieve Metz of Eufaula, Oklahoma; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence in 1996; daughter, Sue Green; brother, Jack Shirk; sisters, Cleta Fultz and Betty Harvey. Wanda passed away Saturday, September 2, 2017, having reached the age of 90.

A viewing without family members present will be held Thursday, September 7, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Carlson Funeral Home. Her graveside service will be held Friday, September 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Walnut Valley Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Tom Gaskill of the First Church of the Nazarene officiating.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Envision, 610 N. Main, Wichita, Kansas 67202 or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, Kansas 67202. Please sign her online guest book and leave a memory of Wanda at www.carlsonkirbymorris.com

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