Wanda J. Barnes

Wanda Jean Barnes, 86, of Twin Falls, Idaho, passed away April 3rd, 2017 in the arms of her daughter in Phoenix, Arizona.  If you would have asked my mom why she passed away she would have told you, “I’m 86, that’s why.”

Visitation will be held at Parke’s Magic Valley on April 10th, 2017 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.  Burial will follow at Twin Falls Cemetery.  A celebration of life will be held for friends and those who knew and loved my mom at Jerome Country Club immediately following her services.

Wanda was born in Wichita Falls, Texas to Aubrey and Mary Howell on October 14, 1930.  My mom was the oldest of four children and was fourteen when her brother Ken was born.  My mom truly loved her brother and took him everywhere to the point people often thought he was her own.  She was married to Charles Goodman on May 9th, 1948 and had three children, Audrey, Ronald and Gil.  She later married Horace Ivan (Bill) Rollins on January 6th, 1948 and had Kristen Lynn.  My mom cared for my Dad as he battled cancer and passed away in 1978.  She married Charles “Chuck” Ray Barnes on February 17th, 1979.  Chuck playfully called my mom “Wandooo” and they enjoyed life for the next 28 years by each other’s side.

If you knew my mom you knew she wore angel pendants on all her shirts.  She prided herself on getting dark and tan in the summer.  She’d often hold out her arm and want to see who was darker.  She would tell stories of when it cost a quarter to fill up the tank and a dime to go to the show.  One of my mom’s true joys in life was golfing.  Both her and Chuck enjoyed the game and the many friendships they made over the years at Jerome Country Club.

My mom was very proud of the fact she was the first woman hired in the 1960’s at Sierracin in Sylmar, California making windshields for commercial airplanes.  She later stayed home after I was born.  We spent our summers playing golf and traveling the state so I could play in tournaments.  I couldn’t have asked for a better mom.  It was a privilege and absolute joy to have had her company all these years.  My mom’s later years were filled with granddaughters and four-legged grandson’s whom she loved so much.

There is one piece of advice my mom continually gave me throughout the years and that was, “Trust your instincts, if it doesn’t seem quite right, its probably not.”  That has always stuck with me and I use it almost daily.

Wanda is survived by her daughter Kristen (Chris) Stout; stepdaughter Lisa (Ken) Hopper; daughter Audrey; sons Ronald and Gil. Grandchildren Holli (Nick), Bailee, Makayla, Doug (Stephanie) and Katie; Great Granddaughter Kaylee, not mention countless other grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Wanda is preceded in death by her husband Chuck; parents, Aubrey and Mary: sisters, Peggy Glen, Audrey La Nell and brother Kenneth Ray. 

One of my mom’s last loves in her life was her rescue Border Collie Luke.  In fact, it was hard to find a recent picture of my mom without her “Lukey Baby” by her side.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Wanda’s name to the Arizona Border Collie Rescue, PO Box 10717, Tempe, AZ 85284.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to East Valley Hospice (Cathy and Tammy) for their support in her final days.

Funeral Services for Wanda will be held Monday, April 10, 2017 at 3:00 P.M. at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho.  Visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the funeral home and burial will be held following services at Twin Falls Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho.

All services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho.  Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on Wanda’s memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.