Wanda Harris Miles, our beloved mom and grandma, left this earthly life on April 6, 2019 at the age of 98. She was born February 8, 1921 in the Harris family home on Williams Creek, Mound Valley, Idaho to Daniel Hanmer and Carrie Larsen Harris. Wanda was the seventh child of eight; her siblings include Ervin, Vernon, Leah, Letha, Iona, Howard, and Faye. Wanda enjoyed growing up in a close, loving family. As a child, she enjoyed Sundays because extended family would come to their house for dinner and games, and she loved being close to her family.

Wanda attended elementary school in a two-room schoolhouse near her home. She attended Central High School (now known as Thatcher Elementary). During her childhood, Wanda worked on her family's farm milking cows and other chores. At school she was known with three friends as "The Royal Four," a label that followed these friends into adulthood. Wanda was also chosen as Queen of the Junior Prom, which came as a huge surprise to her. During summers, Wanda enjoyed 4-H projects and won a trip to Chicago as a teenager to represent Idaho.

After high school, Wanda enjoyed attending local dances held in Cleveland, Lago, and Thatcher. During a dance in Cleveland, a young man named Dee Miles asked Wanda to dance. They danced several times that evening, which began their 6-month courtship before marrying August 15, 1941. They were later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on February 28, 1955.

Together Dee and Wanda welcomed six children into their home including Colleen, Everett, Linda, RaeLene, David, and Susan. They raised their family in the Grace and Niter areas living in several farmhouses before building a home of their own in Niter. Building this home was a long process because they cut down every tree to take to the saw mill.

Dee and Wanda supported their family by raising sheep, potatoes, grain, and hay. Wanda worked alongside Dee on the farm, and took on the role of raising the bum lambs. Wanda was an excellent cook, and she could make a filling meal, even on a moment's notice for unexpected guests.

As Dee and Wanda's family grew, family traditions were plentiful including annual holiday parties for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and others. These traditions were enjoyed for many years by their children and families.

In 1986, Dee passed unexpectedly during heart surgery at the age of 66. Wanda stepped into the role of Matriarch of her family with grace and love and was admired by her family for her strength during this experience.

Wanda loved gardening, sewing, quilting, cooking, and baking. She enjoyed caring for her geraniums and was known for her apple pie, chocolate cake, bread pudding, chicken noodle soup, plum jam, chokecherry syrup, homemade bread, dill pickles, and lamb ribs.

Wanda lived alone until the age of 96, which was remarkable and was made easier by help from her family and neighbors. Wanda was "mom" and "grandma" to many people outside her actual family because she was kind, loving, and willing to open her home to so many around her.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband David Edgar "Dee" Miles, her parents, all of her siblings, her daughter RaeLene Miles Harvey, and her granddaughter Cari Lynne Bailey. Wanda is survived by her children Colleen (Kent) Bailey of Grace, Everett (Pauline) Miles of Grace, Linda (Bud) Barthlome of Soda Springs, David (Shirley) Miles of Grace, and Susan (Lynn) Buckley of Pocatello; son-in-law Dave (Lisa) Harvey of Grace; sixteen grandchildren; forty-two great grandchildren; and eleven great-great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Home in Preston, Idaho for the loving care Wanda received for over two years. The family also recognizes the many friends and neighbors who visited Wanda regularly to brighten her days.

Funeral services are under the direction of Sims Funeral Home in Soda Springs. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, April 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Thatcher-Williams LDS Church in Niter, Idaho. Family will visit with friends Thursday, April 11 from 7–8 PM at the LDS Church in Niter and again Friday morning from 9:30–10:30 AM prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the Grace, Idaho cemetery.

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