Wanda Lea Berger

Wanda Stoneking Berger, 86, of Pomona, Kansas, passed away peacefully on February 15th, 2025. Wanda was born on November 28, 1938, to Peter F. Stoneking and Dorothy R. (Hurrelbrink) Stoneking. She grew up in Pomona, Kansas where she graduated with the Pomona High School class of 1956.

In 1957 she started her education as a beautician and after graduating she began her career as a licensed cosmetologist for over 40 years.

Wanda was a woman of strength, grace, and unwavering dedication. She spent years as a talented beautician owning her beauty shop making others feel beautiful but also served her community as a beloved town mayor where she served 2 terms as the first woman Mayor of Pomona, Kansas. She led with wisdom, compassion, and a deep love for the people she served, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the honor of knowing her. She also had great joy in serving her church as the Sunday school teacher at the Pomona United Methodist Church. She was known for her kindness, wisdom and her ability to make everyone feel welcome. When you walked into her home you were greeted with a “where you been all my life” and “make my day” her two very famous quotes. She had a laugh that was infectious and memorable. Wanda loved to sing and often had a song for everything which brought comfort and peace to all her friends and family.

Wanda and James “Buster” Barclay married July 4th, 1958. With that union 5 girls were welcomed. They were married for 21 years. They enjoyed dirt track racing and enjoyed raising their daughters in a small community. They later divorced. 

In 1978 Wanda met Richard D. Berger whom she loved dearly. They married on March 20th, 1980. Wanda was the proud mother of 5 daughters and when they married, she joyfully welcomed 5 more daughters opening her heart and embracing them as her own. In 1988 Wanda and Richard brought their only son into their home. Wanda’s heart knew no bounds, and she created a home uniting a blended family filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Her love for Richard was profound, and together they embraced the great outdoors. They enjoyed camping, enjoyed hunting adventures and created a lifetime of treasured memories. 

Wanda is preceded in death by her husband Richard, her twin brother Rex Stoneking, brothers Gilbert, Gary and David and her grandson Ryan Martin and her great grandson Abel Slocum. 

She is survived by her only living brother Richard “Dick” Stoneking, and her children Crystal (Kris) L. Adell (Byron) of Pomona, KS, Kimberly Leach (Scott) of Pomona, KS, Kandi Nichols (Nick) of Pomona, KS, Kelly Loder (Chris) of Pomona, KS, Karolyn Barclay of Olathe, KS, Tyler Berger (Kristy) of Pomona, KS, Pam Baxley of Beaufort, SC, Cheryl McKeown (Larry) of Winnsboro, SC, Wanda Martin (Chuck) of Beaufort, SC, Mary Berger (Lisa) of Charleston, SC, Deanna Berger (Keith) of Noel, MO. Whom all treasured her. 

Her proudest role, however, was being the devoted mother of 11 and grandmother to 29 grandkids, 40 great grandkids, and 6 great- great grandkids. She poured her heart into raising them, teaching them resilience, kindness, and the value of hard work. She led by example, showing them what it meant to be strong, independent, and full of love. 

Whether she was sharing laughter around the kitchen table, giving the perfect beauty tips, or offering wise words of encouragement, she had a way of making life more special for those around her. Later in life Wanda found joy in life’s simple beauties, especially bird and squirrel watching while she watched down the driveway hoping for one of her family members to arrive. She loved spending quiet mornings watching cardinals, blue jays and hummingbirds, finding peace and wonder in their presence. Whether from her window with warm cup of coffee or on her porch, she found comfort in the songs of the birds she loved. 

Though she is no longer with us, Wanda’s love, wisdom, and gentle spirit will forever live on in the family she cherished and in the soft songs of the birds she so dearly loved. 

A celebration of life will be held on February 23rd at 2:00pm at the Pomona Community Building in Pomona, Kansas. The family invites guests to join for lite refreshments.

To share your memories of Wanda or to send a special condolence message to her family, please visit the guestbook below.