Wanda J. Brussell
Wanda J. Brussell (nee Van Dyke) passed away on September 30, 2022, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 92.
Wanda is survived by three daughters: Barbara Brussell (Larry Brooks) of Westminster, Colorado; Katherine (Mark) Greenwood of St. Louis, Missouri; and Sharon Brussell (Ed DeFrancia) of Moab, Utah. She was predeceased by her husband, Glenn E. Brussell, and three sisters (Betty, Dorothy, and Rosemary).
Wanda was born on March 3, 1930, in Peoria, Illinois, to James C. Van Dyke and Ella L. Harnish. Her childhood was spent in Greenup, Illinois, where she graduated in 1948 from Greenup High School. She attended Eastern Illinois University for three years, taking art classes. In 1951, Wanda married Glenn Brussell, her high school sweetheart. They lived in Wichita Falls, Texas, while Glenn served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
After returning to Illinois, Wanda worked in various secretarial jobs while Glenn completed college. Glenn was hired by Chemagro Corporation (later Bayer Corporation), and the family eventually settled in Overland Park, Kansas. Wanda was well known for her volunteer work, being active in the League of Women Voters, Shawnee Mission Housing Council, Overland Park Planning Commission, Common Cause, PeaceWorks, ACLU, and the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church. She was a tireless advocate for civil rights, fair housing, and social justice. She was also a voracious reader and loved crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She was a kind and gentle soul who will be missed by many. Services will be private at a later date.
She invited me to attend the Unitarian Fellowship meeting Sunday nights at the Prairie Village Community Center. I am grateful for having made such good friends there. Our children went to school together at S.M. West.
My late husband and I were fortunate to be friends and colleagues with Wanda and Glenn in the early years of SMUUCH. Wanda was an especially active member of the church and community. She was kind, thoughtful, informed, supportive and an example to all.
I joined SMUUChurch in the 1970’s and Wanda was always a pleasure to talk to, be on a committee with or sit beside during a service. A kind caring person.
I was a teacher at Nall Hills School in the 1960’s. Wanda’s daughter, Sharon, was a student in my class. Wanda came in often and helped me. She mentioned that I might like her UU church. I attended some services, met my friend Pat Green, and have stayed for about fifty years.
Wanda was a wonderful person. I am proud to have known her.
Barbara Shepard