Wanda F. Duel-Fairbrother

10/15/1928 — 2/4/2017

Service Date: 2/11/2017
Get Directions to Service

Send a Condolence

Wanda peacefully entered the kingdom of heaven Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, with her daughter Thera by her side.

Wanda was born Oct. 15, 1928, to Clarence and Mozelle Peck in Stigler, Okla. She and her twin sister were four months premature and weighed under 4 pounds each. The doctor warned their parents about naming the twins as they had a slim chance of surviving the night. Mozelle and Clarence had faith and named their twin girls. They swaddled them together in a shoe box on the open door of a warm oven. Wanda and her twin sister, Dorothy, survived and thrived.

Wanda had an adventurous spirit and shared wonderful stories of great family times on the ranch with her five brothers and sisters: Raymond, Johnnie, Wilmeth, Dorothy and Larry. As a family, they survived the Great Depression, tornadoes and the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma. Despite adversity, Wanda was cheerful and optimistic about life. She valued hard work and led a purposeful life.

Wanda attended and graduated from Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College in Goodwell, Okla., with a bachelor of science in home economics. While in college, she met a handsome football player named Thad Duel. They attended church on their first date. They eloped soon thereafter and went on to enjoy 53 years of marriage until Thad's untimely death in 2005. They had three daughters: Thais, Thera and Lane. Wanda and Thad were devoted parents who encouraged their daughters to live a life of faith and service to others.

Wanda and Thad were founding members of McCall's first Our Savior's Lutheran Church. They gave generously of their time for church activities and projects. She taught in the McCall School District for 27 years, starting in the elementary school and finishing her career at the high school.

Wanda was a gifted artist who captured scenic views of McCall and surrounding areas on canvas. Her paintings grace the walls of many people across the country. Following Thad's passing, Wanda met Bob Fairbrother at church and they were married for eight years before Bob's passing in 2014. They supported the building of the new Lutheran church in McCall. Wanda and Bob were active in McCall's senior center and were voted "King and Queen" for McCall's winter carnival. Wanda loved working with the children in Sunday school and vacation Bible school. She often said special prayers for the children of the congregation.

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters and two husbands. She is survived by daughters Thais (David) Shapiro, Thera (Mike) Follett and Lane Duel; grandchildren Jacqui Shapiro, Jenna (Nick) Boutelier, Reny Follett and girlfriend Veronica Elseroad-Wall, Emerson (Lisa) Follett and Dan Ackermann; and countless friends.

A celebration service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McCall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McCall.