Wanda Lorraine Milan's Obituary
Wanda Lorraine Milan, 97, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2020 at her home. She was born in Freedom, OK, the daughter of Glen and Leona Redding. She graduated from a one room school in Oklahoma and put herself through college while working and paying for her younger siblings’ books so they could finish high school.
Wanda reinvented herself several times in her life, working as a farmer, teacher, innkeeper, bookkeeper and insurance specialist. At age 12 she worked as a farmer on a relative’s farm. She was a high-school history and English teacher in Oklahoma. In 1947 she and her husband Paul Milan bought and operated a motel and cafe. She was a bookkeeper at Scotts Level Best clothing manufacturer in Wichita Falls, Texas, and was also chosen as their model for the perfect size nine. She held several positions in the insurance industry in Dallas until she retired at age 70, to Juliette Fowler Christian Homes.
Strong and fiercely independent, Wanda was able to live on her own until the last months of her life. She appreciated being able to cook and said that food just tastes better when you have an oven. She loved gardening and flowers. At one point when the water to the Juliette Fowler garden plots had been turned off, out of determination to keep plants alive, she carried water from her second-floor apartment. Not only that, but when she was in her sixties, she climbed on the roof of her house to prune tree branches!
Wanda was an amazing woman who always listened with understanding compassion, letting her friends know she knew just how they felt. Wanda always had a story to tell and will be greatly missed by all of her friends and family.
Wanda is lovingly remembered by her son Steve Milan, daughters Paula Milan and Lisa Bagnall, grandchildren Sean Milan, Michael Thompson, Nicole Thompson, Colin Bagnall, great grandchild, Maisie Belle, nephews and nieces Kenneth Rice, Kay Charland, Gary Holloway, Roger Holloway, Betty Holloway Hagen, Linda Holloway Mossman, cousin Robert Tannehill, and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Preceding Wanda in death were her husband, Paul Milan, sisters Georgia Hughes, Jacqueline Charland, Phyllis Rice and brother Glen Dean Redding.
Following her wishes, Wanda will be cremated and her ashes buried overlooking the Pedernales River. A memorial service will be held in Austin at a later date. Online condolences may be found at www.restlandfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Wanda-Milan/#!/TributeWall. In memoriam, the family asks that you perform an act of kindness for someone who needs help.
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