Obituary of Wanda Joan Alexander

Wanda Joan Alexander passed away on July 19, 2023.  A funeral service will be held on August 2 at 1 p.m. at Grace University Lutheran Church, 324 SE Harvard Street, Minneapolis.  (Limited parking available at the nearby hospital ramp.). The service will be live-streamed and later available on the church’s YouTube channel.  Wanda will be buried at her parents’ grave site in Hampton, Iowa, at a private family service. 

Wanda was born in Oelwein, Iowa, to James and Joan (Roose) Alexander on May 2, 1954.  She grew up in two Iowa communities, Fairbank and Hampton, the second of six children, with early aspirations to be a nurse so that she could take the place of her brother in the Vietnam War in the event he would be drafted.  While in high school, she excelled as a vocalist, saxaphone player, and accompanist, and she confidently performed the leading role in the musical, “Once Upon a Mattress”.  Wanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at The University of Iowa as well as a Master of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.  She served in public health and faith-related leadership roles in Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Hennepin County in Minneapolis, leading to the cherished opportunity to serve as the Director of the Faith Community Nurse Network of The Greater Twin Cities.  Following retirement, she persevered through the pandemic and administered vaccines along with other caring nurses for countless individuals.  During this period of isolation, she cultivated hope and beauty through multiple daily calls to her mom, connecting with friends and family, tending flowers, painting on canvas, experimenting with new recipes, and delighting in her dogs.

Throughout her life, she was curious, purposeful, and she read voraciously.  She was attentive to national and world issues with a particular interest in social justice, history, and politics.   As an elementary school student, she stood up to adults who would make racist comments, and as an adolescent she protected friends as she advocated for the rights of women.

Wanda was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes football fan and loved to telephone her dad during the games to compare commentary.  

Wanda’s determined, courageous tenacity for what she believed was eclipsed only by her tender heart, generosity, and loving protection. 

Wanda was quick to respond when any family member or friend or stranger had need.

Preceding her in death were her father, James Alexander; infant brother, Brian Alexander; brother-in-law, Paul Mott; and Miniature Schnauzer, Oscar and Scottish Terrier, Truman.

Survivors include her mother, Joan Alexander; her sisters and brother, Ellen (Jim) Cooper, Lori (Tim) Diebel, Sherry (Paul) Mott, Steve (Deb) Alexander; her nieces and nephews, Jessica (Boen) Globstad, Allison Cooper, Joe (Ashley) Cooper, Chris (Dawn) Cooper, Alexander Mott, Ryan Mott, Brittany (John) Guetter, Kimberly Alexander; great-nieces and nephews, Aubree Moose, Austen Guetter, Nathan Cooper, Owen Cooper, Hayden Globstad; and Scottish Terrier, McKee and Miniature Poodle, Teddy. 

Memorial gifts in her honor may be offered to the Grace University Lutheran Church, Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities, or the Animal Humane Society.