Wanda Ileene Farrand

Harvard resident, Wanda Ileene (Davidson) Farrand, 84, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Mary Lanning Memorial Health Care, Hastings.

Services will be Monday, October 5, 2015 at 2 pm at the Harvard First United Methodist Church with Rev. Travis King officiating. Burial will be in the Harvard Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.apfelfuneralhome.com. Apfel Funeral Home, Harvard is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be given to the Harvard First United Methodist Church or AseraCare Hospice.

Wanda Ileene Davidson Farrand was born in Webber, KS, on December 21, 1930, to Doshia (Nichols) and Ernest Davidson. She grew up in a family of seven children. A baby sister, Darlene, died after the family experienced a bout with scarlet fever in 1934.



When Wanda was in the 3rd grade her family moved to Republic, KS, where her father continued to work for Standard Oil, as a rural delivery gas truck driver. She and her brother, David, spent many happy summer hours riding along on his farm gasoline deliveries.

The next year the family moved to Superior, NE, where Wanda found many lifetime friends, joined the Baptist Church, and completed her education.

During her high school years she worked as a Soda Jerk and also clerked in the Hesteds store. Following graduation she was employed s a telephone operator.

On July 2, 1949, Wanda married her high school sweet heart, Clarence Farrand. Clarence was just back from serving in the Army and was starting employment with the Burlington Railroad. For the next few years his employment took them to Ravenna, Lincoln, Grand Island and Crete. While living in Lincoln, their two sons sere born: John and James. After moving to the small town of Garland, they then moved to Harvard in 1957. This remained their home; and in 1958 a daughter, Mary Beth, was born. They joined the Zion E.U.B. Church, which later united with the Methodist Church.

Wanda was a faithful church member serving in many positions through the years, including teaching Sunday School. This was an important part of her life. Other community activities included being a Cub Scouts Den Mother, a Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls, a Worthy Matron for O.E.S., a member of The Farmerettes Club and several Bible Study Groups.

Wanda was employed as a para for Harvard Public School and Educational Service Unit #9 from 1970 to 1991. Helping children was a very important part of her life. She was a volunteer at Harvard Rest Haven and Harvard House for many years. She also delivered Meals on Wheels and was a substitute librarian at the Harvard Library. Wanda also volunteered with CASA.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Clarence, son, James, four sisiters: Darlene Davidson, Ruby Robbins, Betty Johanson, and Opal Johanson, and two brothers: Jim Davidson and David Davidson.

She leaves behind: her son John, and his wife, Diane, of Lincoln, NE. ; daughter, Mary, and husband, Steve Carriker of Clay Center; daughter-in-law, LeeAnn Farrand (Widhalm) of Aurora, NE; brother-in-law, Don Johanson, of Superior; sisters-in-law: Ruby Farrand, of Sioux Falls, S.D., Elaine Davidson, of Carrollton, MS, and Helen Davidson of Augusta, Georgia. Grandsons include: Joel Farrand of Charlotte, N.C., Corey Carriker and wife, Jen, or Rogers, MN; Jared Carriker, and wife, Tonya, of Norfolk, NE, Jamie Farrand and wife, Dessa, of Hastings, NE, and A.J. Farrand of Aurora, NE. Granddaughters include: Sara Sinani and husband, Devis, of Olathe, KS; Dana Farrand of Lincoln, NE; Karla Dewey and husband, Chad, of Gretna, NE; Kimber Younker and husband, Pete, of Meriden, IA ; and Abbie Farrand of Omaha, and sixteen great-grandchildren, many nieces and other relatives and friends who were so dear to her.