Wanda Maurine Mellenbruch Knetter, 98, died in her sleep on Wednesday, October 25,  2023. She was a gentle but strong woman who loved well, and she was well-loved.
Wanda was born on February 25, 1925 to Effie (nee Smith) Mellenbruch and John Herman Mellenbruch in Morrill, Kansas. She was the tenth of their ten children. Wanda attended schools in Hiawatha and Fairview, Kansas, graduating from Fairview High School in 1943. After graduation, she attended business school in Kansas City, and then worked as a secretary for several years in Kansas City, Missouri. On the first day of business school, Wanda met a girl who became a lifelong friend and eventually her sister-in-law. That friend gave Wanda the name and address of Bill Knetter who was serving in the Army Air Corps at the time so she could write to him, a common way to support the troops during World War II.
Wanda's correspondence with Bill turned into a courtship, and the two were married on July 21, 1946 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairview, Kansas. Together they raised four children: Jim, Marsha, Karen, and David. They were blessed with 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They farmed in the Piper area of what is now Kansas City, Kansas where Bill was raised. Wanda handled much of the bookkeeping for the farm for many years. Throughout their nearly 72-year marriage, they truly were a team, with Wanda often being the classic "good woman behind the good man".
Both were active at St. Martin Lutheran Church. Over the years, Wanda served in many capacities there, including church choir director, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, altar guild, the Ladies' Aid, and as a delegate representing St. Martin to several regional church conventions. Wanda originated, organized, and directed plays for the church dinner theater for several years. She baked pies, cooked chickens,
greeted at services, took her turn cleaning the church, edited the church newsletter, and generally was willing to do whatever she could to make her church a welcoming and functioning place.
Although she rarely got any recognition for it, Wanda actively supported her husband's and children's school, 4-H and community activities. She was widely admired for the wonderful pies and cookies she baked for various events.
Wanda is preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Knetter; her grandson Jason Knetter; her daughter-in-law Becky Knetter, her parents and her three brothers and six sisters.
She is survived by her children, Jim Knetter (wife Colleen) of Kansas City, KS, Marsha Gordon (husband Chuck) of Merriam, KS, Karen Logan (husband Roger) of Leavenworth, KS, and David Knetter (wife Julie) of Kansas City, KS; her nine living grandchildren, John Knetter (Rhonda), Krista Mann (Shaun), Michael Logan, Joshua Gordon (Melissa), Susie Knetter McCracken (Zach), Molly Lake (Robert), Matthew Knetter, Allison Eastland (Jason), and Leah Logan; her great-grandchildren, Jackson Knetter, Payten Knetter, Cash Knetter, Olivia Lake, Dagny Gordon, Nick Lake, Emma McCracken, Huck Mann, Miles McCracken, Owen Lake, and Rebecca Gordon; and her many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Wanda will be held at the Davis Funeral Chapel (531 Shawnee Leavenworth, KS) on Sunday, October 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. Her funeral service will be held at St. Martin Lutheran Church (13849 Hollingsworth – Kansas City, KS) at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023. Burial will follow at Mount Muncie Cemetery in Lansing, KS.
Memorial contributions in Wanda's honor are suggested for St. Martin Lutheran Church.