Wanda K. Smith

Wanda K. Smith, 92, of La Junta, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Nursing Care Center. Wanda was born on Oct. 16, 1918 in Clay County, Arkansas to Fred Koster & Lena May Sails. Lena May later married George McFatridge who raised Wanda as his own child. She was married to George Smith; he preceded her in death in 1986.

Wanda graduated from high school in Corning, Arkansas in 1935; following graduation she moved to La Junta.  She worked for Mountain Bell’s, La Junta Plant, for 29 and half years. Wanda was one of the first women in Colorado to become certified as a central office repair technician in the early 1970's.  She had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed traveling with others from the area on bus trips and cruises to many beautiful destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska, Cape Cod and more.  She enjoyed traveling, reading, spending time with her family and friends, cooking and loving her dogs.  Wanda was a member of the Business and Professional Women/New Horizons, After 5 Club, Methodist Youth Fellowship sponsor, La Junta Tiger Band Parent, Telephone Pioneers and the Hospital Auxiliary.  Wanda had a giving heart and loved volunteering and supporting many organizations in the Arkansas Valley.  She spent time in the local schools listening to children read, drove shut-ins to appointments, delivered meals and was very active in the Hospital Auxiliary up until the time of her illness in early 2011.

Wanda is survived by her niece, Colleen (Rob) Oquist of La Junta, nephews, David (Julie) Mayo of Wheat Ridge, CO, and Stanley (Arlene) DuBose of Great Falls, MT.  Great nephews she considered her grandsons, Sean (JaLynn) Oquist of Lamar, Seth Oquist of Irving, TX and Zach Oquist of La Junta; & great-great niece, Myla Oquist;  brother, Tom (Kay) McFatridge of La Junta, and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the United States including; Debbie (Jack) Wren of Rhode Island, Cathy Rugas of Rhode Island, Richard (Linda) Guest of Ft Collins, CO and Les Smith of Las Vegas, NV along with her dear friends, Ethel Oquist, Don and Judy Burkpile of La Junta.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Smith, in 1986, her parents, Lena and George McFatridge, her brothers, Everett, George, Carroll, Paul, Egbert (Buddy), and an infant brother; and sisters, Mary Mayo and Margarete Rugas.

A Celebration of Life service will be Thursday, June 9, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., at the United Methodist Church of La Junta with Reverend Terilynn Russ officiating.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Arkansas Valley Hospice, PO Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.