Wanda E. Smith, 94, formerly of Mullen, passed away Jan. 28, 2018, at Sutherland Care Center.

Wanda was born on May 22, 1923, to Clifford L. and Leona (Knight) Middaugh in Cody. She attended a country school and then school in Whitman before graduating from Gordon High School in 1940. After graduating, she taught home school for two years.

In August 1943, she traveled to California, where Allen Smith was stationed in the U.S. Army. They were married on Aug. 29, 1943, in Carson City, Nevada. In December 1943, Allen’s outfit was moved to Camp Bowie, Texas, and Wanda went to Mullen to live with Allen’s family. To this union three children were born, a daughter, Gloria Anne, and sons, John Joseph and James Allen.

After Allen’s discharge from the U.S. Army, they spent about four months in Casper, Wyoming, before returning to Mullen, where Wanda worked in the Mullen Café until she and Allen bought the beer parlor in 1952, which they ran for 19½ years. After selling the beer parlor, Wanda went to work for Macke’s grocery store, Dutton’s grocery, and in September 1976, she took a job as assistant village clerk in Mullen. She spent 11 years at the village office, retiring in 1988 as village clerk.

In Mullen, she belonged to the Episcopal Church, American Legion Auxiliary, ECW and Pioneer Memorial Auxiliary. She volunteered for the Legion Auxiliary, the rest home and participated in several other community events and activities.

In June 2002, Allen and Wanda moved to North Platte. Due to Allen’s health issues, he passed away Aug. 22, 2002.

In North Platte, Wanda attended the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, and joined St. Bridget’s Guild, R&R Card Club and RSVP. She volunteered two to three days a week at the Thrift Connection Store and RSVP until she was 87. She spent a year at Premier Estates Assisted in North Platte before moving to the Sutherland Care Center in January 2017.

Wanda was a gifted artist and painted several pictures on canvas and old sawblades, as well as burnt many scenes into wood for family and friends, and most recently made jewelry for her loved ones while in the care center. Wanda’s love of art and creativity has been instilled in her children and grandchildren.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Allen; sister, Elsie Jane Hough; and parents, Clifford and Leona Middaugh.

Survivors include her brother, Ted (Chris) Middaugh of Reno, Nevada; daughter, Gloria Blakely of North Platte; sons, John Smith of Sutherland, and James (Grant) Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren with another on the way; and nieces, nephews and several cousins.

Memorials are suggested to the Sutherland Care Center, Cedar View Cemetery in Mullen or the donor’s choice.

Inurnment will be at noon on Saturday, April 7, at Cedar View Cemetery, Mullen. Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.