Oct. 23, 1920 — Sept. 5, 2017
Wanda Lydia Iverson Sandberg Stevens, 96, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. She was born Oct. 23, 1920, in Washington, Utah, to Wallace and Dina Iverson. She married Wayne Sandberg in the St. George temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Feb. 14, 1940.
Wanda lived her life to the fullest. She began her life as the third child in a large family. When she was just a baby her family moved to Littlefield, Arizona. At the age of 4, her family moved up the Virgin River to Beaver Dam where she attended grade school. When she was 7, the family moved back to Washington where she finished elementary school and continued on to high school at Dixie High in St. George. Wanda loved dancing and found herself on the dance floor with friends often.
The last year of high school Wanda met Wayne Sandberg and began dating him. They were married and began their legacy. They built a home in Washington and started farming and ranching. Wayne and Wanda raised four boys, Jerry, Doyle, Michael, Scott, and a daughter, Susan Debenham, together.
Wanda was a very industrious lady. She was one of the original Pie Ladies, raising money to help build the Washington Main Street Chapel. She was always the life of the party and loved to be around others. After her husband Wayne’s death, she had to go to work to help support her family. She worked at the Hurst Variety Store and later at the Market Basket as a checker and pie maker. Some of her greatest friends and best stories come from her time working with others.
She later met and married Joseph Stevens. It was one of her famous pies that brought them together. They married and he became known as “Grandpa Joe” to all his new grandchildren. They had a lot of fun adventures traveling to all 50 states. She loved learning new things and began taking painting lessons at the age of 70.
The LDS Church has always meant a lot to her. She has served in many callings including the last Relief Society president to serve in the old historical Relief Society building in Washington City.
Many hearts are broken over the loss of our family’s matriarch, our engine, our hub, our light and our lady who was never afraid to tell us like it was, kick our backsides with the side of her shoe, call and chat your ear off, be the first to let you know of news in the family, live a grand 96.9 years and so much more! We will cherish our mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, Grandma Wanda forever and ever.
She is survived by her children Jerry Sandberg (Mary Jane) (Washington), Doyle Sandberg (Gail) (Washington), Michael Sandberg (Susan) (Las Vegas, Nevada), Scott Sandberg (Joan) (Washington), Susan Debenham (David) (St. George), 24 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, sister Fayone Lulchuck (Washington), brother Dennis Iverson (Jeri) (Washington). Sister in law Ora Milne (St. George), Rose Sandberg (Washington), Grace Iverson (Washington), Judy Iverson (Washington), Nada Jager (St. George).
She is preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Dina Iverson, husbands Wayne Sandberg, Joseph E. Stevens and Joseph Fisher, brothers Claire, Malin, Grant, sister Celeste Blackett, grandson William Shay Sandberg and great-grandson Benjamin Wayne Sandberg.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Spring Gardens staff and friends as well as Encompass Home Health and Hospice.
Funeral services
- Funeral Service will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. at the Washington LDS Main Street Chapel, 82 N. Main, Washington, Utah.
- Friends may call Friday Sept. 15 from 5–7 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George or Saturday morning Sept. 16th prior to services from 9:30–10:30 a.m. at the Main Street Chapel.
- Interment will take place in the Washington City Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.