The Life of Wanda Sue Bonham
Wanda Bonham was born Wanda Sue Roush on November 8, 1932 along with her twin sister, Wilma Lou Roush, in Morrill, Kansas. Wanda and Wilma attended Ottawa University, graduating with Majors in Music. Both went on to teaching careers in the public school systems. Wanda later earned a Masters degree from Webster University.
Wanda’s first years of teaching were in Horton, Kansas where she met her husband, Dyce Bonham. They were married May 29, 1955. Wanda taught music for 40 years, starting in Horton, later Osawatomie, Stanley and finally Olathe, retiring in the early 1990’s.
Wanda was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Olathe where she sang in the choir for five decades and was supply organist. She later sang in the choir at the Community Covenant Church.
Wanda was very active in the community. She was also a trustee of the Olathe Community Hospital when the institution purchased the land in 1988 and began its major expansions.
In politics, Wanda was Republican Committee woman and campaigned for Bob Dole in his race for U.S. Senate and Fred Allenbrand as Johnson County Sheriff.
She was a member of FL Chapter of PEO and member of the Culture Class which was chartered by her great-great aunt.
The family wishes to extend its love and appreciation Wanda’s caregivers, Bobbi Davidson, Michelle Fleming and Amber Duensing for their loving care and attention to Wanda these past two years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Ruth Roush of Morrill, KS., a baby sister Juanita Roush, brothers Merle Roush, Marion Roush, Vernon Roush and Samuel Roush, a niece Roxane (Roush) Robinson and a nephew Charles Roush.
She is survived by her husband, Dyce Bonham, her two sons, Kent Bonham and Todd Bonham, both of Olathe, her sister, Wilma Lehmann, her brother in-law, Robert Lehmann, nieces and nephews Kay Howerton, Mary Jo Roush, Pam Bradford, Kirk Lehmann, Daniel Lehmann, Eldon Roush, Jane Sunderland, Mary Kay Howard, Gini Held, Patricia Moss, Bill Bonham, Nancy Lee and Celeste Bonham in addition to many great-nieces and nephews and one great-great niece.
The family will receive guests for a visitation on Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 1:00-2:00pm at College Church of the Nazarene – Main Sanctuary, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, KS 66062, the funeral service will follow at 2:00pm with burial in Olathe Memorial Cemetery.