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Wanda J. Fosdick, age 86, passed away at her home in Manzanola, surrounded by family October 20, 2024. Wanda was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, April 3, 1938, to Merle and Iva Howerton.

She had four siblings, Alice Mae, Bob, Tom and Iva “Typee,” with Wanda being the youngest.

Wanda’s father, Merle, was a farm laborer, and brought the family from Oklahoma to Cortez, Colorado, in 1942, at the closing of the “Dust Bowl Days.” It was hard life growing up and living in poverty. The family relied on living off of the land, and it is at this time that Wanda’s dad taught her to fish, a past time that she would always enjoy.

At a very young age, Wanda contracted rheumatic fever, a condition that affected her heart for the rest of her life. The Howerton family would later move to the Fort Bent area near La Junta, and she would later go on to graduate from La Junta High School in 1957.

She worked at a drive-inn in La Junta, and this guy from Fowler saw her working there, so he asked at the waitress about the girl washing dishes. They were introduced and, well, the rest is history.

Sam and Wanda were joined in marriage December 21, 1958. At the beginning of their marriage, Sam worked as a ranch hand, and the couple lived on those ranches - Timber Lake Ranch and the Heart Ranch.

They welcomed their first child, Sammy Joe, Jr., in April of 1960, and their second child, Debra Lynn, in July of 1961.

Sam would later get a job working for the Santa Fe railroad out of La Junta. The family moved to Fowler in 1967, moving to the present-day golf course in Fowler. At the time of this move, they joined the Fosdick family in the ranching and farming business, with Sam continuing to work for the railroad. The Fosdicks ran a ranch 20 miles south of Fowler, and anytime there was branding to do or the shipping of cattle, Wanda was always there fixing and serving the great meals she was known for. In 1970, the family moved to the old Fredrickson place southeast of Fowler, known as the No. 6 school district, and continued farming and ranching. It was a good life with a lot of hard work.

Her favorite times of year, were Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course “Missouri Day,” where she and Sam would dance the night away.

In 1984, Wanda and Sam purchased the old Van Galder farm east of Fowler and farmed it. Then they purchased the old Hixson and Rice place south of Manzanola and farmed them, and still do this day. Later they purchased the old Williams place, east of Manzanola, and it is here they resided to the present day. The old Williams place came with a large pond, and it is here that Wanda was able to take back her favorite pastime of fishing. She taught Debbie, Jared, and Mitchell to fish, and the four of them spent many enjoyable hours fishing together. She was huge Bronco’s fan, and she would make it a point to always prepare a special kind meal so that the family would enjoy the game together.

Wanda leaves her family, this community, with an example of respect, kindness, and always maintaining family traditions. It is with these qualities that her legacy will live on forever. She was the best wife, mother, and best grandmother, anyone could have ever asked for. We will all miss her – she was a great woman. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her husband, Sam; children, Joe (Roberta) and Debbie; grandchildren, Jared and Mitchell; one step-child, Consuelo; step-grandchildren, Elicia (Dante) and Dominic; and step-great grandchildren, Kiana and Mila. She is also survived by her niece, Judy Segal of Scott City, Kansas, with whom Wanda would talk with each week.

Contributions in Wanda’s memory may be made to hospice in lieu of flowers. The family would like to thank the Sangre De Christo Hospice Center of La Junta for all the care and kindness they showed to our mother and grandmother.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Manzanola, 116 S Park Street, with Pastor BJ Ballard officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction ofPeacock-Larsen Funeral Home and Arkansas Valley Crematory.