- Date Of Birth: February 25, 1927
- Date Of Death: August 14, 2017
- State: Texas
Wanda was born in Alba, Texas on February 25, 1927. Her parents were Eva and Marion Yowell. When she was very young, they moved to Sherman, Texas. Wanda had 5 sisters and 3 brothers. Her sisters were: Charlsie Pruitt, Frankie Gilbreath, Beatrice Huntoon, Lois Swindell and Thelma Barker. Her brothers were: Delbert Yowell, Buel Parker, and Alvin Swindell.
Wanda graduated from Sherman High School in 1944 and went to work at the Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator.
Wanda went on a blind date with Tom when she was a junior in high school. From then on, Tom was the love of her life. On May 30, 1946, she married Tom Hestand from Denison, Texas. He had just returned from Japan where he had been stationed. Shortly afterward they moved to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where he was stationed. After his discharge, they moved back to Sherman so Tom could attend Austin College in Sherman. Wanda went back to work at the telephone company and also attended Austin College.
Wanda and Tom had 4 children: Terry Hestand of Leander, TX, Cynthia Hestand of Spicewood, TX, Sondra Freeman of Round Rock, TX and Susan Hestand who died as an infant. They have 4 grandchildren: Ashley Hestand, Savannah Hestand, Lauren Wilson and Lindsay Morton. They also have 3 great-grandchildren: Jett Hestand, Avery Morton and Asher Morton.
Wanda was always proud of Tom and their family. She supported them all in whatever they decided to pursue. Her influence over the family was always there. She never expected praise for herself but was always thrilled when someone said something nice about her family.
Wanda worked in the Business Office at Austin College after they were married and later as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of two school districts in Houston. She worked as Office Manager for the Ft. Worth Classroom Teachers Association for 13 years.
Tom was a high school principal for many years and was the 1st principal of Westlake High School in Austin. When Tom retired from School Administration, after almost 30 years, they took a position managing a large apartment complex near the University of Texas. It was hard work but they had a lot of paid time off to enjoy doing what they wanted. During this time, they spent weekends at their house on Lake LBJ, made many trips to their cabin in Eagle Nest, New Mexico. They always said they really enjoyed those years. Later, they moved to Georgetown, TX for a few years before moving to Temple, TX in 1997.
While the children were growing up, the family spent about 3 weeks a summer at Garner State Park. Even though, Wanda probably never put more than her feet in the river, she loved being there with her family. She planned and organized everything well in advance so the family always had a cabin/shelter right on the river. Those were some of every ones best memories.
Wanda, and Tom, loved to travel. They travelled all over the United States, Europe, France, England, Wales, Ireland. They went on some trips with the Golden Age group and some trips with friends or family or just the two of them. One of the places they never tired of going was Branson, Missouri.
Wanda and Tom were long time volunteers where ever they lived. They delivered Meals on Wheels in Georgetown, Temple and Belton. They spent several years as volunteers at the First Baptist Mission House in Belton and volunteered many years at the Alzheimers Respite, known as Thursday Club at First Lutheran Church in Temple.
Wanda and Tom celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this year.
