Wanda Bechler

George, IA               Wanda Bechler, age 62 of George, IA died Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at her home in George, IA.       Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday January 13, 2017 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA with Rev. Bryan Anderson officiating.  Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George.     Visitation will be Thursday January 12th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George.       Wanda Jean (Kruse) Bechler was born on November 5, 1954, the daughter of Harm and Luella (Mulder) Kruse. She grew up on a farm south of Little Rock, Iowa, and graduated from Little Rock Community School.        On December 1, 1972, Wanda married Ron Bechler of George. They had two children, Sonja and Chad. They lived on an acreage west of George for the first two years of their marriage and then moved to their current home in George.     Wanda was a homemaker while her kids were growing up. She did some babysitting during that time also. As the kids got older she began cleaning houses. Wanda and Ron were custodians for Tabernacle Baptist Church for twelve years. Wanda diligently and selflessly took care of her aging mother, Luella, until Luella passed away in 2013. Her compassion during this process was an example to her family.     Wanda trusted Christ as her personal Savior as a young girl. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist church. She was a faithful Cubbies leader for 33 years and also helped with the 2 & 3 year-old Sunday School.     Wanda loved family and enjoyed babysitting her grandkids. She loved trips taken together and weekly Sunday family gatherings. When asked what her hobbies were, she would say spending time with her family. Her grandkids were the “Sunshine” in her life, and “You Are My Sunshine” was her favorite song to sing to them. She was affectionately given the name “BB” by her first granddaughter, Dominique, when she learned to talk. That name stuck, and all of her grandchildren call her by it. She enjoyed campfires in the evenings and working in her flowerbed.     Wanda and Ron were always together. They enjoyed working together on projects and were an example of a good marriage for their family.     Grateful for having shared her life, her husband, Ron; her daughter Sonja (Reid) Kooiker of Rock Rapids; her son Chad (Kaeleigh) Bechler of George; five grandchildren, Dominique, Gabe, Hudsyn, Hadleigh, and Haedyn; two brothers, Daryl (Gloria) Kruse and Steve (Bonnie) Kruse, all of George; many brothers- and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.     She was preceded in death by her parents, Harm and Luella Kruse; brother-in-law Roland Smid; and sister-in-law Mary Smid.