Wanda J. Close, 86, Iola, passed away Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, at the Moran Manor.
Wanda was born Aug. 7, 1927, in Fredonia, the daughter of Archie and Lura (Mozingo) Owen. She grew up in Parsons and graduated from Parsons High School in 1945. She worked as a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone.
On Aug. 21, 1949, Wanda married Patrick C. Close. They made their home in Parsons before moving to Humboldt. In 1954, they moved to Iola. They ran C & S Sales Co., where she worked as bookkeeper. They retired and moved to Grove, Okla. Mr. Close preceded her in death April 15, 1998, and she returned to Iola later that year.
She was a member of First Baptist Church in Iola.
Survivors are her three children, Douglass Close of Pensacola, Fla., Rex Close and wife, Linda, Iola, and Janet Close, Pensacola, Fla.; one brother, the Rev. Melvin D. Owen, Wichita; eight grandchildren, Gretchen Murrow and husband, Scott, Humboldt, Rex Close Jr. and wife, Atonya, Iola, Toby Close, Eugene, Ore., Adam Stockebrand, Iola, Jordan Craft and husband, Austin, Yates Center, Jeneal Stanley and husband, Shawn, Louisburg, Chris Bennett and wife, Shana, Carlyle, and Jerred Bennett and wife, Karen, Pittsburg; 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Leota Owen, and a daughter-in-law, Jeane Ellen Close.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Iola.
Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Iola.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church and left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Wanda Close
