Wanda LaRae Heimdal of Denton, Texas passed away unexpectedly on November 4, 2022 at the age of 73.

Born in Alexandria, MN, she grew up in Tioga, ND. She spent most of her adult life in Ham Lake, MN before trading its frigid winters for Texas's scorching hot springs, summers, and falls. This was not an ideal trade, as Wanda hated hot weather.

Wanda loved sewing, quilting, knitting, card making, and other crafts. Her loved ones cherish the sweaters, socks, and quilts she made them. She also gave her free time to knitting hundreds of hats and scarves for a children's charity. While living in MN she loved gardening and would spend entire summer days outside ripping up more and more grass to expand her flower beds until her husband asked that she please leave some grass for him to mow.

Wanda loved listening to music (especially 1950-60s and Christmas music), watching Disney movies, reading mystery novels, eating more candy than she knew was good for her, and napping. While she did not enjoy cooking, her family loved her dumplings, hot dishes (or "casseroles" to people living outside the Midwest), unique spin on chicken mushroom chow mein, and the turkey gravy she always insisted didn't turn out, even though it always did.

She will be remembered for her devotion to her children, grandchildren, and grandkitties, her immense generosity, and her kind heart. Wanda had a gift for making people feel at ease and heard; in waiting rooms, at airports, on park benches, strangers would share their life stories with her. Her children's friends often affectionately called her "Mom" and asked if she would adopt them. She passed down to her children an inability to sing on-key, an aversion to exercise, and a tendency to make jokes in inappropriate situations.

Wanda is survived by her daughters Kristen and Alisha, son Steven, husband Larry, four grandchildren (Kira, Shawn, Olivia, and Miles), and dog Rascal. She was predeceased by her parents, Valeria (Voight) and Leslie Olson, and her three brothers.

A private ceremony will be held for immediate family members.