Wanda L. Brisendine

Wanda L. Brisendine, 81 of La Junta passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center. Wanda was born on June 12, 1929, in Ulysses, Kansas to Merle E. & Etta M. (Edwards) Eastman. She married Leonard Brisendine on July 11, 1963 in Pueblo, Colorado.
Wanda graduated from Bethany Peniel College in Bethany, OK in the spring of 1954 and began teaching in the fall at Heaton Middle School in Pueblo, CO. She also taught at Edison Elementary School before moving to La Junta in 1963 to teach at Lincoln Elementary. Her teaching career spanned several schools, including Park Elementary, West School, North La Junta School and East School. Wanda retired from teaching in the fall of 1985. Upon her retirement she became a teacher’s aide and then a member of the grandparents program at West School. She was very active in supervising Junior High Programs at the First Church of the Nazarene. Wanda enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and coordinating funeral dinners for a number of years. She also sang many duets with her husband. Wanda was her grandkids’ #1 fan at sporting events and concerts. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Leonard of the La Junta home; son, Mike (Karla) Brisendine of Eaton, CO; daughter, Michelle (Dan) Eveatt of La Junta; grandchildren, Nathan, Lindsey, Hailey, Dillon, and Emily; siblings, Katherine (Charles) Ledbetter of Hamlin, TX; Harold (Carolyn) Eastman of Valley Center, KS; Waneta (Harley) Wilson of Pueblo; Betty (Dale) Cross of La Junta; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Merle E. & Etta M. Eastman; and two brothers, Relis & Jim Eastman.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene, with the Reverend Andy Albright officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the First Church of the Nazarene directly or through the funeral home.