Wanda June Wood

Wanda June Wood, age 89 of Osceola, passed away Sunday, October 8, 2023, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.  Wanda was born November 1, 1933, in Mishawaka, Indiana to the late Ralph and Mildred (Emmert) Spear. Wanda graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1951.  On December 27, 1952, she married Irvin “Woody” Wood. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before his death in August of 2010.

Wanda is survived  by two daughters, Cheryl (Steve) Frick of Mishawaka, IN and Sheila (Gary) Neice of Granger, IN, seven grandchildren, Christa Gabrielson, Scott (Jen Hadden) Frick, Laura (Josh) Rydzinski, Emily (Chad) Handschu, Abbey (Reid) Platt, Sean (Robbie) Wakefield and Aubrey Wakefield and 14 great-grandchildren Severin and Gabrielle Gabrielson, Alyssa and Joshua Handschu, Lillian, Orianna, Aurora, Samuel, and Elinor Rydzinski, Maxwell and Ethan Platt, Walter Frick, and Annabelle and Lincoln Lint.  Preceding her in death was her sister Jean Good and brother Richard Spear.  Wanda also had a great love for the large Wood family she married in to.

Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the 1:00 pm celebration of life on Friday, October 27. 2023, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola.  Following the service, Wanda and Irvin will be laid to rest together in Olive Cemetery West, Elkhart, Indiana.  Cruz Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Osceola has been entrusted with her care.  A livestream of Wanda’s service will begin in the video window below 15 minutes prior to her service.

Wanda was a homemaker and in her spare time, she enjoyed bowling and being a wife and mom to her family. She loved to spend time in the kitchen making amazing pies and dishes to serve at family dinners and reunions.  Wanda also enjoyed traveling and she and Irvin spent many winter months in Ft. Myers Florida.

Most summer days, Wanda could be found in her garden where she raised all kinds of fruits and vegetables to can and share with family and friends. She also enjoyed playing card games with her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In her memory, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for Leukemia research.  To light a virtual candle, share a story of her life, or leave a message of comfort for Wanda’s family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.