Wanda Elizabeth Spainhower

Wanda Elizabeth Spainhower, 96, of Hampton, Iowa found eternal peace on March 25, 2018 at the Franklin Country View Nursing Facility in Hampton. Wanda was born on December 1, 1921 to George J. Menning and Eva Mae (Switzer) Menning on the Menning Marion Township farm at the Northwest Corner of Beed's Lake. This is also the family farm where her father was born. Wanda married Julius E. Spainhower and to this union two daughters were born: Judith Kae (Spainhower) Lemke Gergen, Fertile, Iowa, and Janie Rae Spainhower (deceased 1995 of a life long illness). Wanda's education began at the Marion #6 one room country school. She graduated from Hampton High School and went on to Hamilton School of Business in Mason City. There she graduated with a Senior Secretarial degree and was the recipient of the National Filing Award. Later in her career she would go on to the Wisconsin School of Banking in Madison, WI. She continued her education throughout her life by attending adult education classes at NIACC and Ellsworth Community College. Wanda's career began at the Law Office of B.C. Sullivan, Rockford and then on to the Medical Office of Dr. Egloff of Mason City. Following this she worked as a Medical Secretary at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She returned to Hampton where she worked at Hampton State Bank for a total of 30 years. She worked in all areas of the bank from bookkeeping, teller, secretary and eventually becoming a loan officer with the title of Assistant Vice President. During her banking career Wanda was presented a National Recognition Award from the National Association of Bank Women. She also received a 1st place District Award by the NABW as well as the 1st Place State Award. Wanda was passionate about genealogy and learning about her ancestors and those of others. She was well read and studied about the Hampton area and Beed's Lake, becoming quite knowledgeable on both. She shared her knowledge by giving talks to local groups. Wanda loved antiques and had long stories to tell about the items in her home. Her stories included her father's lace up shoes from when he was a child to the marble top dresser that a relative had brought back from the East on a train. Traveling on the same train were the first Holstein cattle to come to Franklin County. Her treasures also included a painted saw that cut ice from Beed's Lake which was to be stored in her Father's Saw Mill. She enjoyed working at the Franklin County Historical Society Museum and with the Beed's Lake group. She gave the merry go round from the old Country School to the Historic town on the Franklin County Fairgrounds. She also gave timbered acres, that she inherited from her Mother, near the Old Stone House to the DNR. Along with all of this, Wanda was active in politics and held many caucus meetings in her home. Her Grandson, Travis Jon Lemke was the frosting on her cake, along with her Great-Grandchildren. Just hearing Travis's name could make her happy. Left to cherish Wanda's memory are: daughter Judith and Larry Gergen of Fertile, IA, Grandson Travis and Laura Lemke, Great-Grandchildren Rileigh Elizabeth Lemke and Wyatt Julius Lemke, New Prague, MN. Special Friends: Jim and Carol Stayner, Steve Kruse, Toni Pralle and Mary and LaVerne Hadley. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Franklin County Historical Society or the Franklin County Fair, both of Hampton, IA in Wanda's name.

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Wanda Elizabeth Spainhower

December 1, 1921 - March 25, 2018