Wanda June (Klingler) Buckles, 93, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020.
She was born August 12, 1927, in Lenexa, Kansas, the daughter of Ransom and Edith (Earnshaw) Klingler. She graduated from Shawnee Mission High School.
Before she was married she worked for Southwestern Bell for several years as a customer service representative.
She loved to cook, bake and enjoyed to make candy. She won the Mayor's Cookie Plate at the Mid-America Fair. She presented the Governor's Bread Basket to Governor Docking. She appeared on the local news stations and local newspapers with her winnings. The Kansas Wheat Commission also reached out to her for recipes and would publish them. She would send rolls to Senator Dole. At Holidays she enjoyed making treats for everyone to enjoy and was well known for her baking and candy abilities. She made everyone's birthday cake and treasured the holidays and her family. She was a huge NASCAR fan.
Her and her husband Loren and son traveled the United States due to Loren's job with the Santa Fe Railroad. They were constantly traveling and would even travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico just for lunch. Upon Loren's retirement they moved to the Galveston, Texas area where they enjoyed watching their grandchildren be born and start their education before moving back to Topeka.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in both Galveston and Topeka. Here in Topeka she was a Sunday School Teacher and a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and she helped greet and recruit.
Wanda married Loren B. Buckles on January 19, 1951 in Overland Park, Kansas. He preceded her in death on January 17, 2013. Survivors include her son, Larry D. (Cheryl) Buckles; grandchildren, Justin T. (Jessica) Buckles, and Rachel M. Buckles and great-grandchild, Dawson C. Buckles. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister, Genevieve Reeves
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.
A Celebration of Her Life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at First United Methodist Church 600 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS, 66603. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church 600 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS, 66603 www.fumctopeka.org.
Please enjoy the recipe from Wanda below:
ROLLED WHEAT COOKIES Basic Dough
1 C. shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 C. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. brown sugar
2 1/2 C. flour
2 eggs
1 1/2 C. rolled wheat
1 tsp. soda
Cream sugar and shortening, beat eggs and add to creamed mixture. Add vanilla, mix well. Sift flour, soda and salt together and add to first mixture. Add rolled wheat, coconut and nuts. Drop on cookie sheet and bake 10 to 12 minutes at 375°. Flavor Variations: 1-6 oz. pkg. chocolate pieces IA C. chopped pecans 1/4 C. coconut 1/2 C. coconut 1/2 C. black walnuts, chopped
KANSAS WHEAT COMMISSION HUTCHINSON, KANSAS 67501
MRS. LOREN BUCKLES Topeka, Kansas
MRS. RALPH SKEEN Hutchinson, Kansas
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