Wanda Ann Placer

Wanda Ann VanMeter Placer was the second of three daughters born to Victor and Bessie VanMeter in Carlton, Kansas, August 26, 1935. She passed away March 19, 2024, at her home in Kila, Montana. 

Wanda’s early years were spent growing up in Kansas, until at the young age of 17, she married Norman Clare Placer, at the time a mechanic in the Air Force, and moved with him to Detroit, Michigan. From Michigan, they moved to California where Norm later took a job with IBM which kept the couple on the move around the state, including time in Riverside, Cherry Valley, Scotts Valley, and elsewhere. While in California, Wanda gave birth to four daughters, Loveda (Lovie), Lynada (Lynnie), Darda, and Erin.

In 1976, the family moved to Round Rock, Texas, where they remained for more than fifteen years. They had a beautiful property where their daughters were either married or held receptions, and a peach orchard where their grandchildren fondly remember spending time with Grandma Wanda and Grandpa Norm.  Many strong and lasting family relationships were created during those years in Texas. 

Beginning around 1990, Wanda and Norm left Round Rock and hit the road in a 5^th wheel for five years, before settling in Kila, Montana where they spent their remaining years. Once in Kila, Wanda had little desire to be anywhere else. She loved the beautiful, peaceful view out her windows towards the mountains in the Smith Valley, and having her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and dear friends gather in her home.  Many deer came to visit, look through the windows, and eat scraps Wanda left for them.

Wanda professed to serve the Lord at a young age and remained true to that choice for the rest of her life, enjoying fellowship meetings in her home and others for many years.  She truly fought the good fight of faith and finished her course with honor.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Bessie VanMeter, her sister, Rutha Reavis, and her husband Norman. She is survived by her sister Betty (Wayne) Wilson of Torrance, California; four daughters, Lovie (Reubin) of Kila, MT, Lynnie (Bert) of Sandy, UT, Darda (Robert) of Surrey, BC, Canada, and Erin of Cedar Park, TX; eight grandchildren, Orin (Sarai) Englishbee of Cross Plains, Tennessee, Emery (Todd) Richtsmeier of Whitefish, MT, Zach Zimmerli of Sandy, UT, Jake (Julianne) Zimmerli of Cottonwood Heights, UT, Grant Zimmerli (Stephen), of Rockwall, TX, Dayna Anderson of Des Moines, WA, James Anderson of Surrey, BC, Canada, and Cami Placer of Cedar Park, TX; and four great-grandchildren, Wynter, Arya, Orson, and Onie.

While the above delineates Wanda’s natural family, she enjoyed many friends and a spiritual family that extended throughout the country and, in some cases, the world.  While Wanda was not a highly educated person from a traditional perspective, she clearly understood and demonstrated the love and values that really matter to us all.  We will miss her but have special memories that will live on forever.