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WANDA LEE IDDINGS March 7, 1933 – November 12, 2023 Wanda Janelle Lee Iddings passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 12, 2023, at the age of 90 in Pagosa Springs, CO. She is survived by her daughters Vickie Artibey (John) of Clinton, MS., Valerie Salisbury (Michael) of Fredericksburg, VA., Venita Durrer (Russ) of Pagosa Springs, CO., and son Leslie of Waco, TX. She also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren who were all the absolute joys of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Dr. Frank A Iddings, and infant son Robert Frank. Born in Seymour, Texas, March 7, 1933, Wanda was the only child of William Robert “Bill” Lee and Alice Witty Lee. As a young girl Wanda traveled around entertaining troops. Later, Wanda grew up in Wichita Falls, where she attended high school and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Midwestern University, in 1954. It was there she met her husband Frank, whom she married on August 28, 1954. They moved to Norman, OK., where she taught music in public school until they moved to Baton Rouge in 1959. While raising her family Wanda spent many years teaching piano in her home. Later Wanda became an active member of Baton Rouge Little Theater, both on and off stage. During the 1970s and 80s Wanda performed in at least six summer musicals, many regular season productions, and served on the Board of Directors in various capacities, including two seasons as President. Wanda also had a small role in the movie “The Toy” but will most be remembered in Baton Rouge for her Robinson Brothers car dealership commercials where she would trade in all kinds of crazy things including a goat, a mule, a tugboat, 18-wheeler, bulldozer and plane. Wanda and Frank moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1985, and enjoyed numerous cruises together spanning the globe. Even after Frank’s death in 2019 Wanda continued to cruise with friends from Budapest to Holland, and with two of her daughters around Greece in 2021. Locally, Wanda was involved with community theatre, bunco groups, LEDS (Ladies Eating and Drinking Society, a group title she carried over from Baton Rouge) and sang with the Northwest Hills Global Methodist Church choir. She developed lasting friendships including Donna Bauer who became her best friend after moving to Villa de San Antonio and looked forward to frequent Starbucks visits with her friend Carol Spinelli. Interment will be private at Mission Park Funeral Chapel where an online guest book is available at www.missionparks.com. In her memory, please consider a donation in Wanda’s name to the Villa de San Antonio holiday fund (checks to VSA Residents Association, 8103 N Hollow, San Antonio, TX, 78240, with notation Holiday Fund) or Vitas Hospice via VitasCommunityConnection.org (San Antonio).

Tributes

Wanda Lee Iddings

March 7, 1933 - November 12, 2023