Wanda Jenkins, 92, of North Platte peacefully passed away on Aug. 15, 2023 at David Place in David City where she had been residing.

Wanda was born in Wellfleet on Dec. 25, 1930 to McKinley and Dena Goodwin. She grew up in Lincoln County and graduated as valedictorian of Hershey High School in 1948.

Wanda later graduated from Kearney State College in 1971 with her BA in Education and her MA in Administration in 1981. She taught in many rural schools around Lincoln County and was Frontier County Superintendent of Schools from 1974-79. She later worked in bookkeeping for several businesses.

On Dec. 30, 1948, Wanda married Wilber Lightfritz at Hershey. They had five children and were married for 23 years when he unexpectedly passed away in 1971. She married Cecil Imler at Sutherland in 1984. After Cecil’s death in ’91, Wanda married John Jenkins at Council Groves, Kan. on Sept. 5, 1992, and they were together until his passing in 2003.

Wanda was a woman of faith and was remarkable at telling stories of the past. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and Ogallala Community Church, RSVP, and a life member of the VFW Auxiliary. When Wanda and John were together, they belonged to the Mission Service Corps. and traveled to Oklahoma, Arizona, Missouri, Florida, Alaska, and many places in-between.  After his death she did mission work for the Oregon Trail Baptist Association (OTBA) for seven years. Wanda enjoyed being a volunteer and playing music for residents at South Oak Manor. She was kind and generous with her time and talents.

Survivors include her daughter, Kay (Doug) Reznicek of Rising City, Neb.; sons, Michael Lightfritz of Columbus and Scott (Tammi) Lightfritz of Sidney; son-in-law, David (Mary) Szwanek of North Platte; stepchildren, David Jenkins, Tommy Jenkins and Joyce Jenkins; brother-in-law, Melvin Eckhoff of Sutherland; sister-in-law, Altene Goodwin of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Gary, Dannille, James David, Brandy, Scott, Jamie, Shelby, Shawna and Brandon; great-grandchildren, Santana, Anyssa, Tristan, Colton, Lexie, Sophia, Hazel and Autumn; great great-grandson, Zayvier; as well as many other family.

Along with her husbands, Wanda was preceded in death by her infant son, Johnny Lightfritz; daughter, Shirley Szwanek; her parents, McKinley and Dena Goodwin; brothers, Lyle and Dale Goodwin; and sisters, Iola Eckhoff, Mary Russell and Cora Mae Whittaker.

Cremation was chosen and graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 29 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell, with Pastor Doug Lee of Two Rivers Fellowship officiating. Odean Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com.

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