Wanda J. Priddy

Wanda J. Priddy, 91, died August 1, 2023, at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, KS. She was born May 15, 1932, in Tescott, KS, to Albert W. “Bert” and Edna (Batcheller) Christenson. Wanda’s mother died when she was 11 years old and she went to live with her Aunt Mary (Batcheller) and Uncle Ralph Disney in Bennington, KS, who raised her as their own.

Wanda attended Bennington High School, graduating in 1949. Wanda married Earl K. Priddy on June 7, 1949 in Denver, CO. “Red” and Earl shared 59 years of marriage, with work posts across Kansas in Abilene, Lincolnville, Cottonwood Falls, Goodland, and Kiowa. They raised three children and were blessed with nine grandchildren before he died on May 26, 2009.

Wanda was an accomplished musician, serving as the organist and pianist for many churches, including United Methodist Churches in Kiowa and Cottonwood Falls. She was a Girl Scout leader, a gardener and canner, a county fair-winning pie maker, and an accomplished Danish cinnamon roll baker and coffee drinker. Wanda loved playing piano and connecting with her friends at the Chase County Senior Center and was a self-reported Senior Center spelling bee champion. Her most successful role was as the beloved and silly “grandma grape” to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Lynch of Franklin, NC; brother, Larry Watts and wife Jenny of Salina; nine grandchildren: Timothy Priddy, Christopher Priddy, Erik Priddy, Matthew Priddy, Kenneth Lynch, Dorothy (Lynch) Pruett, Amy (Collett) Connolly, Ryan Collett, and Mary Collett; 28 great grandchildren; 7 great great-grandchildren; and her cherished nieces, Sheelah (Watts) Stoddard, Sandra (Watts) Milburn, and Sharon (Watts) Cooper.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband and parents; Aunt Mary and Uncle Ralph Disney; brothers, William Christenson and Norman Watts; son, Dale Priddy; and daughter, Linda Priddy.

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2023, at Faith Methodist Church, 18 Oak St., Cottonwood Falls, KS, with Pastor Kim Shank officiating. Burial will follow in Bazaar Cemetery. No visitation is planned. Memorial donations may be made to the Chase County Senior Center or Faith Methodist Church in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220 Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.

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