Wanda Jean Meinhardt

Wanda Jean Meinhardt (Becker) 77, Tecumseh, Kansas, ended her time on this earth on the 27th of May 2024. She was surrounded by family, and friends who had become family on a journey filled with love, learning, lessons, and of course loss.

It was Albert and Eileen Becker (proceeded her in passing) who welcomed and introduced Wanda Jean Becker, on 11th November 1946. She was the 4th of 5 children.

Her brother Harold Becker and sister Sevilla Sellars proceed her in passing. Sister Betsy Tarvin of (Oketo, Ks) and Brother Gary Becker (Montana) still walk on solid ground.

She followed in her mother's footsteps, working side by side with her for many of the more than forty-five years she worked as a licensed cosmetologist. With pride she would later take responsibility and ownership and become the business owner/holder of the Crown Beauty Salon. A hair salon that offered so much more than just a color or curl, but often a ride, a hand, and some mercy. For years, $11 got you a wash, a haircut, and the cheapest therapy rate in town, and if you scheduled exactly right, it was free to read the gossip section! She made sure you felt at ease and welcomed. She had many passions she shared with her tribe of friends who always came through for each other, as they enjoyed out loud life and everything held within that.

Wanda was also a committed, trusted, and highly active member of Emerald City Cosmopolitan Club of Topeka, Kansas where she volunteered her time and hard work to raise money for Diabetes research and she was a member of the American Legion Club in Topeka, Ks. She found many other causes and issues to become involved in where she believed she could make a difference.

Moving, as the city grew, she was followed by loyal longtime clients, as well as meeting new folks on the way. She knew not a stranger, and opened her heart and home to many who would call her mom, auntie, and grandma. Then on a second round with different rules, some more of the "mom" "Mom" "MOM"! She was sarcastic, witty, sometimes shitty, but mostly kind. She loved, and hugged, and felt for you and me. She stood up for her kids with her heart AND her mouth...if you knew her, then this you know all about.

Also proceeding her in passing was her youngest son Ernest Ray Paige (20), holding him close always, she never did let him go, which at the end why for us it was easy, telling her we already know. Left behind still walking solid ground is her eldest son Blake W. Paige (Stephanie), of Florida and his three children, Victoria Paige (Dakota) and their two children Dilen Leroy Price, and Athena Jean Price, all of Tecumseh, Kansas, Seth N. Paige (Shelley and upcoming little girl) of Tecumseh, Kansas, and Jaden E. Paige , of Tecumseh, Kansas; Her daughter, Tonya R. Donaldson and grandson Avery M. Donaldson, both of Topeka, Kansas, and countless others who love and will continue to love, while they now grieve, knowing that Wanda is free to fly with her wings now.

Cremation has taken place.  Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Oketo Cemetery, Oketo, KS.  A Celebration of Life will begin at 2:00 PM Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the American Legion  Post 400, 3029 NW US Highway 24, Topeka, KS.