Wanda Jane Burnham

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1934-2021

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  • Wanda Burnham
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Wanda Jane Burnham, 86 of Muskogee, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

A private graveside service for Wanda was held in Weatherford, Oklahoma on January 26, 2021.

Wanda was born in Butler, August 21, 1934, to Homer and Frankie (Phillips) Hill. She graduated from Arapaho High school and November 27, 1952, she married Gayle Burnham in Arapaho. Wanda’s full-time job was as a homemaker being a loving and supportive wife to her husband Gayle and providing the love, kindness, direction and support needed by her children.

That was not her only job as she also was a part-time sales and support staff worker in her husband’s clothing store, Gayle’s Clothing, in Weatherford and Muskogee, as well as helping to do alterations as needed on clothes they sold.

Who knew the somewhat quiet Wanda would love the thrill of selling but she often expressed her passion for the retail business. Her sewing skills she used in her family’s business led to her great passion for quilt making.

Wanda devoted one whole room of her home to sewing and her desire for quilting led to her joining a group of ladies who became best friends as they shared quilting ideas, helped each other and attended quilting shows.

Survivors include: her son Leif Anthony (Tony) Burnham and his wife, Cindy, of Muskogee and her two daughters, Rhonda Gail Stehr and her husband, Greg, of Tyler Texas, and Sabrina Collins, of Muskogee; six grandchildren Ryan, Leigh Anne, Kevin, Rachel, Tori and Chayse; six great grandchildren Connor, Vivian, Mack, Caroline, Norah and Everett; one brother Dale Hill and his wife, Treva, of Albuquerque New Mexico; and sister-in-law, Sandra Hill, of Tulsa.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gayle; her daughter Tamara; her parents Homer and Frankie; and one brother Jerry Hill.

The family wishes to thank all the caring memory care staff and nurses at Meadow Lake Senior Living in Tyler Texas who took care of Wanda with kindness and understanding during these past two and a half years. The family also wishes to thank Choice Hospice for their kindness and compassion helping with Wanda the last few weeks of her life.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Alliance or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.