Dec. 29, 1943-Jan. 25, 2024
Wanda left this mortal earth surrounded by her loving family on Jan. 25, 2024. She was 80 years old. She was born on Dec. 29, 1943, to Lynn and Nellie Mecham in Provo, Utah.
She was the youngest of seven. She had three brothers and three sisters: Marv, Lynn, Eldon, Nellie, Vera and Ann. She is preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings but one — her older brother, Eldon.
Wanda graduated from Provo High School in 1962. A year later, she married Marvin G. McEntire in the Salt Lake Temple on Dec. 27, 1963. Together, they had five children: Marvin Jr., Vera (Mike), Bentley (Janette), Yolanda (Rick) and her favorite one — the baby of the family — Rena. They raised their sweet little family in Clearfield, Utah.
While raising her children, Wanda had a few jobs to help provide for the family, including working for the IRS, Hill AFB, fabric stores and babysitting. Wanda had many talents and loved to sew, and would often take requests for clothes from her daughters. She would finish the clothing so it could be worn the next day!
She would figure out how to do anything from any kind of arts and crafts to doing work on the house. She was always so fun and loved spending time with her kids. She would take late-night walks around the block and have water fights with the whole neighborhood. She loved to laugh and play games and she was always up for a good chat.
She served in many callings in the LDS church, including Primary President and Relief Society President. She was always doing service for others and often would make meals or treats for them. She loved to cook and bake, and she was really, really good at it and always had dinner on the table. She showed her love to her family with the smell of freshly baked rolls coming out of the oven. It was heaven!
She was a special kind of Mom. One who never turned her kids away even when they would talk on and on about things happening in their lives. She was kind and loving but wasn’t afraid to set you straight if she was disrespected. She was an eternal optimist and instilled that in her children.
After raising their family, Marvin and Wanda retired to St. George, Utah. Wanda was often a caretaker for her sister Ann and her husband Marvin when they were ill. She was selfless and constantly took care of their needs.
She lost her husband on Sept. 11, 2012, and did not remarry. They were married for 49 years. Wanda struggled with her health the last year and a half, so her kids moved her up where she could be cared for. She spent the last 15 months with Vera in her home in Preston, where Vera so graciously took care of her. Wanda has five children, 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren who adored her and will miss her forever.
Until we meet again our dear Mommy.
Funeral services will be held Feb. 2 at 10 a.m., with a viewing prior at 9 a.m., at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. The interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S Dixie Dr., St George.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.