Wanita Alice Walker (nee Werner), was welcomed by her savior on July 10, at age 77. Born in Winner, South Dakota, her family eventually settled in western Nebraska, where she developed a love of big skies, prairie winds, and the scent of sage brush.

A petite firecracker, Wanita achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a nurse in 1970, when she graduated from the West Nebraska General Hospital School of Nursing, one of the nation’s last three-year nursing programs. Looking to broaden her horizons, she joined the United States Army. Uncle Sam sent her to San Antonio where, on a fateful day in the barracks lounge, an officer interrupted her relaxation by asking her about her pants. Bold, especially because she outranked him. Despite her retelling of their encounter, she must’ve been flattered because she married him 126 days later.

Wanita and Tim ultimately settled in Kansas City, Missouri, where their family grew by two boys and a girl. She was an active member in her church community and could convince the most reluctant plants to flourish in her garden. Her family remembers this time for the long summer nights in the yard, and being called in to a dinner of tacos, spaghetti, or sheet pan pizza, Wanita’s specialty. The house was always full of music, either from Wanita’s extensive record collection (the Statler Brothers, Loretta Lynn, and Anne Murray were some favorites) or from the massive upright piano, a fixture in the cozy living room. As her children grew, Wanita’s desire to broaden her horizons returned.

She enrolled in the University of Kansas and began working on her Bachelor of Science in nursing, where she served the underserved in the hospital clinic. Wanita received her BSN, and was ultimately awarded her MSN in 1997, earning the title of Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner (APRN).

More milestones followed. Wanita and Tim welcomed their first grandchild in 2004. Another lifelong dream came true in 2005 when they moved into a log home in eastern Jackson County with a trampoline, swimming pool, and acres of woods for the grandchildren to enjoy.

After 17 years at KU’s Cray Diabetes Center, Wanita retired from nursing in 2014. Retirement held new adventures and rediscovery of old passions. Wanita spent many hours attending grandchildren’s performances and sporting events. They enjoyed regular trips to Powell Gardens where the butterfly house was a main attraction. She and Tim headed west during the summers, spending time in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona where Wanita stilled her soul in the expansive sunset. Back at home, she occasionally played the piano and made regular trips to the thrift store. She read her Bible every day.

As her health declined, Wanita spent more and more time in the hospital but she remained feisty. She maintained a connection with certain members of the nursing staff, even when she was confused. She had a connection with one CNA in particular and, on one of her return trips to the hospital, she even brought him her old nursing textbooks and a transparent human model that she picked up at the thrift store.

Wanita passed as she lived: on her own terms. She is survived by Tim, her devoted husband of 55 years, sons Justin (Valerie) and Chris (Stacey), and daughter Julia (Andrew), sister Jewel (Tim), brother Chuck, grandchildren Cason, Claire, Colton, and Caleb, several granddogs, many nieces and nephews, and even more grateful patients whose lives she touched through nursing.

She was preceded in death by her father Woodrow, mother Florence, and sister Letha.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Wanita’s honor may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.