Wanda Mae Stapela's Obituary
Wanda Mae Stapela, 96, of Fort Myers, FL, died August 26, 2016 in Plano, TX. Memorial services will be 1:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church on September 8, 2016 with inurnment at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. Memorials will be gladly accepted by the Autism Society of America Foundation (http://www.autism-society.org) Wanda was born May 4, 1920 in Ottosen, IA, the daughter of Frank William and May (Franker) Telford. She married Edward O. Stapela in Waterloo, IA on May 21, 1950. Mrs. Stapela enlisted as a member of Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (later the Women’s Army Corps). She proudly served her country from 1943 to 1946 in the US, Australia and New Zealand and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. Only 4’11” tall, she was frequently called “the world’s shortest WAC”. She loved reading, crocheting, canasta, jigsaw puzzles and calligraphy. A high-school cheerleader, she was very sports minded and loved participating in any kind of sport that had a ball. She ran the office for her husband’s business in Iowa and later enjoyed serving as a volunteer for the Southwest Regional Medical Center and the hospital Thrift Shop. Surviving are her daughter, Sandra Kim Stapela and husband Uwe of Fort Myers, FL / Hamburg, Germany; grandchildren, Ann-Kathrin Wahrlich (Mathias), Thomas Wahrlich (Annika), Eric Wahrlich; great grandchildren, Mia Josephine Wahrlich and Olivia Leonie Wahrlich and nephews Bruce Telford (Dolores) and Gordon Telford (Susan) and their families. Preceding her in death are her parents, her husband Edward, their stillborn daughter Karen Sue and twin brother, Wayne Maynard Telford. The Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Wanda. Condolences may be left to the family at www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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