Wanda Louder

Wanda L. (George) Louder, eldest of five daughters born to Edgar T. and Margaret M. (Guffin) George on July 9, 1929, near Esbon, (Jewell County) Kansas. She died on Dec. 28, 2024, at Hospice House in Kenniwick, Washington.

She attended grade and high school at Mankato, Kansas, and graduated from Mankato High School in 1947. On July 20, 1947, she was united in marriage to Max E. Louder and then began the life of custom harvesters. To this union four children were born: Linda Charlene, Karen Janette, Janis Louise and Mikel Max.

The family were custom harvesters in the Midwest traveling from Texas to Montana for 26 years before moving to Pasco, Washington in 1972, where they continued the harvesting life. In August of 1972, the family was honored by National Geographic with an article entitled “North with the Wheat Cutters.” During the winter lull of harvesting, they traveled to Canada, Jamaica, England, Europe, Holland and South America. They took several vacations to Hawaii. The marriage was dissolved in 1983.

She continued to live on the farm near Pasco. She became involved in the Benton Franklin Fair with the two youngest children and became the floriculture superintendent for several years. She was a member of Columbia Valley Grange and Auxiliary of which she was the treasurer for more than 10 years. She was a member of the Queens of Spades Garden Club for more than 30 years and co-sponsored a flowering tree aboretum at Chiawana Park. Upon moving to Pasco, she joined the Block 1 Neighborhood bowling team. She became an addicted bowler, won many awards as well as becoming vice president and association manager of the local women’s association. She became the secretary for the Friday Senior League after the merger of the local associations. She was employed by OPM as a test administrator for 21 years for the Armed Forces and ASVAB testing in the schools.

She is survived by her children: Karen Strobe, Janis and Mikel Louder.

She was preceded in death by daughter, Linda in 2005, the father of the children in 2007, and sister, Marilyn in 2011. Also surviving are sisters: Lola Wilson, Kansas, Shirley Antonio (Jim) Arizona, and Carolyn Montgomery, Kansas. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Heather (Grout) Neitzell (Jim) Heath Grout, Sam and Halley Strobe; two great-grandchildren, Harley (Becca) and Jacob Neitzell (Chey), and three great-great-grandchildren, Brooks, Jax and Abigale Neitzell.

At her request, there will be no services and she shall be cremated. The children may have a celebration of life if they choose to do so.