Obituary of Wanda Rocks

Wanda Louise (Lang) Rocks, 87, formerly of New Plymouth, Idaho, passed away at Wellsprings Assisted Living, Ontario, Oregon, during the evening of January 10, 2020, singing and humming her favorite songs.

Wanda was born to Lewis N. Lang and Gladys G.(Wheatly) Lang on July 21, 1932, at home, in Marsing, Idaho.

Wanda moved with her family to Vale, Oregon in 1937 when she was 5 years old, when land was offered to farmers if they would clear parcels of sagebrush, for the Vale-Owyhee Irrigation Project. During this time, no longer baby of the family, she became a big sister to 3 more sisters and 1 brother. While in the 8th grade, Wanda and her family moved to a farm in Payette, Idaho. In 1949, the Lang family moved to a farm in New Plymouth, Idaho.

Wanda graduated from New Plymouth High School in 1951. She then moved to Boise, Idaho and worked as the bookkeeper for Hill’s B & F Goodrich Tires for many years. After leaving Hill’s Wanda sold Tupperware, making a good living, and allowing her the free time to join Sweet Adeline’s International. She and three members of Sweet Adeline’s formed a quartet — Wanda sang bass. The quartet performed across the country and competed in Sweet Adeline’s competitions, doing what she loved, harmonizing and singing.

After living in Boise for much of her adult life, Wanda made the decision to move back to New Plymouth. She worked at the Emporium department store in Ontario and joined the Congregational Church in New Plymouth. Her love of singing led to joining the church choir and there she met Ralph White. Wanda & Ralph became inseparable until Ralph’s death at the age of 96. During their 17 years together they remodeled their home, spent precious time with family, were irreplaceable members at the New Plymouth Congregational Church.

Wanda had many talents. She loved painting, both in oils and Tole painting, crocheting, knitting and crafting, but her love of sewing led her to quilting. Ralph was a huge part of her quilting talents by making sure Wanda had every possible piece of the newest sewing equipment. So many family members and friends have beautiful pieces of her quilting ability, from hot pads to king sized quilts. She won ribbons for her quilts, entering them in local county fairs and quilt competitions.

Having no children of her own, Wanda was always the favorite aunt and after meeting Ralph, she loved being the adopted grandmother to Ralph’s six grandsons: Andrew, Mathew and Aaron (Terrance and Carol White, Boise) and Carson, Conner and Chase (Doug and Kerry White, New Plymouth).

After losing Ralph in 2011, Wanda lived on her own for a few years, then decided to go into assisted living in Ontario.

Wanda is survived by her sisters Rosalie Crump, New Plymouth, and Jerrie McDonald, Murry, Utah, and many nieces and nephews.

Wanda was preceded in death by sisters Dorothy Horn, New Plymouth, Carol Fraizer (Santa Inez, California). Her brothers Joe Lang (Fay), Medical Lake, Washington and Nolan Lang, New Plymouth.

Wanda’s family would like to thank Pastor Susan Howe, Wellsprings Assisted Living, Heart and Home Hospice, Dr. Gering and Dr. Babij for their invaluable help and care. And, a special thank you to Wanda’s sister Rosalie and dear friend Joanne Nyce, for making sure Wanda had everything she needed.

A memorial and interment of her ashes, at Park View Cemetery, will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.

 

 

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