Wanda was born to "Bud" McConnell and Betty Sheley McConnell in Norton, Kansas. She grew up mostly in the Clifton Colorado area. She graduated in 1967 at Central High School. In 1969, she moved to Meridian, ID for many years. She moved back to Grand Junction in 1986. She worked at VistoOptical for several years. She then went to work as a cook at Mt. Garfield Middle school until she retired.
She leaves two daughters- Tamera Clark and Joey Specker, five Grandkids, six great Grandkids, two sisters, as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins. She was proceeded in death by her parents, one brother, one brother in-law, one sister in-law, and one great Grandson.