Wanda Leigh

Wanda L. Leigh, 75, Greenwood, passed away at home on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. A private celebration of life for Wanda will be held with the family, and burial will take place at Sylvan Cemetery in the town of Reseburg at a later date.

Wanda Lou Palms was born on April 12, 1949, in Neillsville, to Robert K. and Iva F. (Bertrang) Palms. She was raised in Neillsville until her family moved to Thorp, where she graduated from Thorp High School in 1967. After high school, Wanda moved to Milwaukee where she worked and received her CNA license. Wanda married in Milwaukee and had a daughter, Sandra Block. They moved to Las Vegas, Nev., to help her in-laws, but shortly afterward she and her husband divorced. Wanda worked at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas for over 43 years, only leaving due to her visual decline. She loved her job and was the only unit coordinator who could read some of the doctors’ writings. During this time, she met and married Michael Leigh. Wanda and Mike later divorced, but she helped raise her grandsons: Theodore, Daniel, Michael and Patrick Dusenbury.

Following her retirement, she moved to Vassar, Mich., to be with her daughter and grandsons. Wanda loved those boys and her three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Patrick “PT” and Lucy. Upon learning she had terminal cancer, she decided she wanted to spend her remaining time with her family in Wisconsin. Wanda came to live with her sister, Patty and Jim Briski, in Greenwood. She remained there with them until her death, being cared for by her family.

She is survived by one daughter, Sandra Roberts (Ted Dusenbury); four grandsons and three great-grandchildren; her mother, Iva Palms; 13 siblings: Roberta Braeger, Nancy (James) Fitzl, Eugene “Butch” (Renee) Palms, Gordon (Debbie) Palms, Kenneth Palms, Cheryl Ustianowski, David Palms, Patty (Jim) Briski, Valorie (Ed) Salzgeber, Lucy Nitz (Les White), Renata (Al) Ciokiewicz, Dotty (Robert) Mikolainis and Tina Palms; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Wanda was preceded in death by her father, Robert Palms; and two brothers: Gary and LaVern “Popeye” Palms.

The family wishes to thank the Mayo Hospital & Cancer Center of Eau Claire for their excellent care of Wanda.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Thorp Funeral Home, Thorp, is assisting the family with arrangements.

PAID OBITUARY 157347