Wanda Muck

WANDA MAXINE WILLIAMS

KOUTNY MUCK

Cedar Rapids

Wanda Maxine Williams Koutny Muck, 95, passed peacefully on Feb. 8, 2017, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Born at home on a farm in Bryant, Ind., to Wave and Georgina (Beard) Williams, she was the oldest of what would become a family of seven children. Wanda, Wendell, Marceil and Delpha came first. Her father passed away when she was only 8 and her mother married

Ward Williams (Wave's brother), adding stepsisters Juanita and Shirley to the family. Finally, a half sister, Sondra, joined them.

The family moved frequently following her stepfather, a champion herdsman, who bred and raised award-winning hogs. Wanda graduated salutatorian from Sand Creek High School, Sand Creek, Mich., in 1938. During the war, she worked at Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti, Mich. Following the war, she moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, working as a secretary for various employers. In 1946, she met and married Frank Koutny, and in 1947, her only child, Vicki, was born.

Wanda volunteered as an election judge, was in the PTA, and made sure Vicki had swimming, ballet and tap lessons. An excellent seamstress, Wanda created everything from play shorts to formal wear, including sewing costumes as a member of the Parents Auxilary to High School Thespians.

In the meantime, she was a founder and active member of the Triangle '64 Chapter of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA), where she held several leadership roles culminating in her recognition as Woman of the Year. Later, as a widow, she volunteered at the Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and Visiting Nurses Association and was coordinator of volunteers for the Linn Community Food Bank. Wanda also was an avid participant in TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly).

At a high school reunion, she rekindled her friendship with her high school sweetheart, Elwood (Bud) Muck, and several years later, at the tender age of 82, they married and she moved to Adrian, Mich., where they lived until he died. She returned to the Cedar Rapids area, where she lived until her death.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki; two sisters, Delpha (nicknamed Judy) (Williams) Gibney and Sondra (Williams) White; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the church, with a one-hour visitation prior to the service. Private family graveside services will be in Czech National Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.

The family suggests contributions in lieu of flowers to St. Luke's Hospice in Cedar Rapids.

Please share a memory of Wanda at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.