Wanda Kaye Davidson

Wanda Kaye Davidson, age 80, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2025 at the Norseland Nursing Home in Westby.

Wanda was born on March 12, 1944 to Leo and Edith (Grandstaff) Gander in Soldiers Grove, WI where she grew up on the family farm and attended school at North Clayton and Soldiers Grove High School. She married Roy Davidson on June 8, 1962 at North Clayton Methodist Church in Soldiers Grove. They resided in Fennimore and Lancaster, WI for several years before returning to Soldiers Grove where she lived the rest of her life.

Wanda was a mom and grandma to more than her biological family. They all held a very special place in her heart. She enjoyed having the extended family. She babysat for several years, and all of the kids called her grandma. She loved them all very much and enjoyed watching them grow up and become parents loving their children just as much. Her family, biological and otherwise, was very important to her and she loved spending as much time with them as she could. She loved cooking and baking for them which they all loved especially her cookies and banana cream pie.

Wanda had multiple jobs over the years, waitressing, working in a factory, farming in Soldiers Grove, working at Sunrise Apple Orchard, bakery worker at the grocery store in Soldiers Grove, cooking at Sannes Skogdalen nursing home and her most loved job as a caregiver to many children.

She was baptized and long-time member of the Methodist Church in North Clayton and Soldiers Grove where she sung in the church choir for many years, served on the church board and was an active member of women of the church group to which she served as the president. She loved attending potlucks and suppers in support of her church and others in the area. She loved attending Tuesday Tacos at the Boscobel Methodist Church with Sandy and Connie as well as Margaret sometimes. She was a charter member of the Soldiers Grove Lioness Club and remained in it until they disbanded, holding the secretary position for the full time. She loved attending the conventions to meet with all the members from other area chapters. She loved traveling to Georgia on vacation to spend time with longtime friends John & Marie McGuire family who were part of her chosen family. She loved getting pecans to bring home and would spend many hours picking them out of the shell and freezing them. She loved listening to older country music with Conway Twitty and Elvis being two of her favorite singers. She loved watching Nascar with Jeff Gordon being her favorite driver and got to meet him in person at a meet & greet while attending a race at Chicago Motor Speedway.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Roy Davidson, Soldiers Grove; daughter Janet (Brad Feye) Coleman, Manchester, TN; son Eugene (Kari) Davidson, Westby, WI; 4-grandchildren: Joy (Jared) Freeman, Courtney Coleman, Ashlyn Davidson and Riggins Davidson; twin sister, Wava (Dave) Edgar; brothers-in-law Ken (Sandra) Davidson, Duane Wallin; sisters-in-law Margaret Davidson, Florence Gander, Floy (Bill) Boland, Karen Gander; many nieces, nephews, special friends, and those who called her mom or grandma.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father & mother-in-law Ken & Floy (Reynolds) Davidson; brothers Ronald Gander, Arnold (Linda) Gander, Joe Gander, sister Elaine (Melvin) Potts; brother-in-law Tom Davidson; sister-in-law Gladys Wallin; nephew Jeff Gander; and special chosen daughter Rebecca Salmon.

We would like to thank everyone who helped mom when she needed it by taking her to her appointments, picking up groceries or other things she needed. There were many willing to do whatever she needed which meant a lot to her and her family. Thank you to everyone who visited her when she was in the hospital and at the nursing home. Special thanks to those at Vernon Memorial, Gundersen Lutheran, St. Croix Hospice and Norseland Nursing Home for the care given and kindness shown to her during her stay there.

In lieu of flowers memorials to the family are preferred.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Soldiers Grove Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 PM, Pastor Stan Pegram will hold a prayer service at 4:00 with a lunch following.

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.