Wanda (Mays) Langer

Wanda Pauline Mays daughter of Jay C. and Gladys Cameron Mays was born at Athol KS on July 14, 1934.She departed this life on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud, Nebraska.  Wanda graduated from Wood River High School with a degree in Normal Training in 1951. She attended Kearney State College during the summers and taught for 4 years in rural schools. Hall County - District 11-1951-1952; District 27-1952-1954; and Webster County - District 17-1955-1956.

She married Richard Langer at the Presbyterian Church in Wood River, NE on November 28, 1954. Four children were born: Jerry Langer, Joan Shaw, Kathy Babcock, and Judy Temaat.  

She was baptized as an infant and baptized again when she joined the First Baptist Church of Guide Rock in 1959. She had been church organist for most of her life. She began playing for the Presbyterian church in Wood River in the early1950’s and continued playing in Guide Rock in 1955 after marriage. She was presented a plaque in 2005 for playing at the Guide Rock Baptist Church for 50 years and continued as the church organist until 2017.  She played for many weddings and funerals along the way.  She also served as the church clerk for many years. She had belonged to the Baptist Woman’s Society, Retired Teachers, Riverside Club and H.C. Club. Wanda loved to sing. She sang with The Farmerette’s for 27 years from 1975-2002.  She gave piano lessons for a number of years.  She served on the election board for 31 years.  She was the Guide Rock librarian for 22 years and served on the Library board after that spending a lot of volunteer time in the library.  

She was an avid reader and liked to cook. Some of her specialties were Chocolate Sheet cake, mincemeat pie, Thanksgiving dressing and brownies. She always had a large garden and canned lots of produce and enjoyed growing many types of flowers. She had done a lot of sewing and crocheted afghans for all of the grandkids when they graduated high school and also many baby blankets for her great grandkids. Wanda worked the crossword puzzle every day, and read many books from the Guide Rock Library. She enjoyed playing cards with neighbors and at her various clubs. 

She and Richard enjoyed many hours in the bleachers when their children and grandchildren were playing sports. She was also an avid NE fan and enjoyed watching volleyball, basketball and football over the years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Richard on September 4, 2019;  her mother, father, an infant sister, brother Robert and wife Toni, a sister Opal Jean Paulk and brother-in-law Maurice Paulk, brother Eldon and sister-in-law Marjorie Mays and sister-in-law Donna Page and brother-in-law Clay Page, brother-in-law Steve Thompson, infant sister-in-law and 3 nephews, Brent Paulk, Scott Thompson and Jim Page, and step granddaughter, Henleigh Yoachim.

Survivors; son Jerry and Deb Langer; daughters Joan Shaw, Kathy and Ron Babcock, Judy and Phill Temaat. Grandchildren Melissa and Yancy Dittmer, Stephanie Shaw, Jennifer Shaw, Michael and Megan Shaw, Lindsay and Ben Prater, Jami and Bobby Fender, Cameron Temaat, Jay and Jacelyn Temaat. Step-grandchildren Jon and Jamie Yoachim and Josh and Paige Yoachim. Great grandchildren Garrett and Addison Dittmer, Peyton Shaw, Mason, Miles and Mia Shaw, Cambrie Prater, Axton, Ayven and Athyns Fender, Clara, Caroline, Donovan, Felicity and MathiasYoachim, Harleigh and Hendrix Yoachim. 

Funeral services will be Friday, 10:30 am., September 22, 2023, at the Guide Rock Baptist Church with Jeff Ord officiating. Interment will be at the Guide Rock Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with the family present at visitation on Thursday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

A memorial fund has been established by the family for later designation.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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