Wanda Willis Stivers was born Jan. 19, 1919, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and passed away March 15, 2011, in Hailey, Idaho.
She lived a remarkable life, considering she was declared dead at birth. Her parents, Earnest Merrill Willis and Mary Lillian Boswell, were early Twin Falls residents. Two brothers and one sister died in infancy. Wanda and her two surviving sisters moved with their parents to road construction sites throughout the Magic Valley. She attended Twin Falls High School and was employed by F.W. Woolworth's.
In 1938, she married Donald William Stivers. They farmed in Eden, Idaho, for 20 years before moving to Twin Falls in 1961. Their home on 11th Avenue East was a showplace of their gardening and craft skills. They celebrated 66 years together before Don passed away in 2005.
Wanda loved her children, Barbara Lynn and Daniel Keith, and her four grandchildren. She was then blessed with four great-grandchildren.
Wanda was a talented seamstress and tailor, sharing her skills with 4-H clubs for 10 years. Wanda won several Make It With Wool contests for her creations. She then became a favorite judge of sewing projects at county fairs across the region. Wanda enjoyed a lifetime of craft activities, including cooking, canning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, stained glass and tole painting.
Upon moving to Twin Falls, Wanda organized her home, then looked for other meaningful work. She was hired as Christmas help by Earl Faulkner of the Paris in 1961. This turned into a full-time job and she spent the next 25 years sharing her sense of fashion and style with generations of women who shopped with her.
Wanda had an opportunity to visit friends in Peru in 1985. She loved traveling, and she and Don enjoyed several years of traveling adventures before health issues slowed them down. She and Don loved to dance and belonged to several dance clubs, often demonstrating exhibition ballroom-style dancing for their friends.
Wanda was a member of the Harmony Bridge Club for more than 50 years. She enjoyed playing card and board games until shortly before her death.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Lillian; sisters, Hannah, Nisha and Ora Rae; brothers, Seth and Merrill; husband, Don; and grandson Troy Patrick. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Charles) Corwin; son, Dan (LeeAnn) Stivers; grandchildren, Rob (Mariel) Stivers, Mae (Wayne Sieg) Corwin and Jason Corwin; and great-grandchildren, Kylie and Madison Corwin and Sarah and Robert Lusk; and several nieces and nephews.
Please join our family for a time of celebration and sharing memories for Wanda on Friday, April 22, from 6-8 p.m. at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls. Family graveside services will be Saturday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park. At that time, Wanda and Don will be reunited in their final resting place.
Wanda's family is very grateful to the loving staff of the care facility Blaine Manor, in Hailey, Idaho, for the wonderful care and love they shared with Wanda.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation, Box 640, Hailey, ID 83333. All funds go to a future care facility.
All services and arrangements are under the direction of the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho. Those wishing to share condolences may do so at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.
