Obituary of Wanda Lynne Klingbell

It is with sadness that the family of Wanda Klingbell announces her death at Hospice Fredericton on Saturday, October 1st, 2022, at the age of 74. Born in Woodstock, NB, she was the wife of the late Fred Klingbell. Wanda leaves behind her stepson, Michael Klingbell, his wife, Sandy, their son, Mathew Taylor, his wife, Nicole, and grandson, Theodore John Taylor all of Winnipeg, MB; sister, Lois Cunningham of Maugerville, NB; nephew, Mark Harvey, his wife, Bonny, and great nephews, Chazan, Ji, and Tejas Harvey, all of Maugerville, NB. In addition to her husband, Fred, Wanda was predeceased by her parents, Hayward and Beulah (Parks) Grant; brothers-in-law, Laurence Harvey and Rev. Ron Cunningham. Wanda Grant was born in November 1947. According to her, the Doctor had all but guaranteed her parents that she was coming out a boy. Surprise! Growing up, Wanda was an active child and an overall pain in the arse for her much older sister Lois. In 1969, Wanda graduated from Nursing School at Saint John General Hospital and began a 35 year long nursing career that led her from Manitoba to Newfoundland, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and then back to Manitoba. It was there that she met Fred and his son Michael Klingbell. Wanda and Fred got married in 1974. For the next 15 years, the Klingbell’s lived mainly in the small community of Ashern, Manitoba until a couple of years after Fred’s untimely death in 1989. From 1991 until 2004, Wanda lived in her “Little House on the Prairie” in Winnipeg where she made many friends and memories that endure today. In 2004 Wanda decided to retire and move “back east” to Fredericton and spend her twilight years with her sister Lois, enjoying holiday dinners and watching her grandnephews’ hockey games. Over the years, Wanda had become less of a bothersome little sister as time seemed to shrink the age difference between them…although she was still known to boss her older sister around. Known to most simply as “The Sisters”, Wanda and Lois were nearly inseparable. They were not only sisters, but walking partners, travelling companions and best friends. They took many memorable trips together from tropical destinations to tours around Newfoundland and beyond. Most recently, they enjoyed their last trip together to the Nova Scotia Tattoo. When they weren’t travelling all over the country together, Wanda and Lois could be seen walking in the Regent Mall, eating out with friends and knocking some pins down at the bowling alley. Wanda’s love and friendship with her sister Lois is something that will seamlessly carry on until Lois arrives to find Wanda having a smoke outside the pearly gates while waiting to usher her in to their final reward. Wanda was also very active in her church… especially with the “Tuesday morning ladies group” who, upon hearing of her passing, rallied the troops and started preparations for her memorial service and reception. Fitting for what they meant to her and what she meant to them. In her last days, Wanda was comforted with her faith and trust in God, knowing that she was destined for a glorious and everlasting life in heaven. A memorial service will be held from Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 11 am with Rev. Bob Jones officiating. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/756242456. Wanda will be laid to rest with her husband in Manitoba at a later time. For those who wish, donations in Wanda’s memory can be made to Diabetes Canada or Saint Andrew’s’ Presbyterian Church.