Henson, Wanda M.

Wanda M. Henson passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 10, 2011, at the Briarwood Healthcare Center in Iowa City. A memorial service celebrating Wanda's life will be held Sunday, July 17, at 2 p.m. at Old Brick, 26 E. Market St., on the corner of Clinton and Market streets. Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service is handling arrangements.

A memorial fund will be established.

Wanda was born to George and Vera Day in New Castle, Ind., on July 28, 1915. Her family eventually moved to Illinois. She married Stanley Henson on July 20, 1935, moved to California and then returned to Illinois and then to Iowa, where Wanda and her husband lived in Clear Lake and Iowa City for many years.

In midlife she began taking art lessons and shared her art with family and friends. Her paintings were in the Iowa City Gallery Walk and she also had a showing of her works at Old Brick. Her artwork reflected her deep love of the natural world.

Most important to Wanda were her deep faith and her family, and the love that she showed to them was returned in many ways, as we all were taught by her how to cherish each day, to appreciate the beauty of nature, music and the arts.

We will miss her dearly.

Wanda is survived by her two daughters, Sharon (Ronald) Hanson and Patricia (Sarah Walden) Ernst; seven grandchildren;14 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren, soon to be six.

She leaves behind a sister, two brothers and two sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; two brothers; and one sister. Wanda also is survived by several nieces and nephews on both sides of her family.

She is also survived by two sisters-in-law in Illinois, Charlotte Brainard and Freida Lawson.

Our family wishes to thank the staff of Briarwood Healthcare Center for the excellent care and compassion they gave Wanda in her last days. Also, we thank Iowa City Hospice for their support and care.

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