Wanda Jane Mather, 89, of Blue River, WI, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Pine Valley Community Village.
Wanda was born on July 26, 1936, the daughter of Louise and Gabriel Muir in Joliet, Illinois. Wanda was raised in the city, but after meeting a handsome farm boy, Gordon Mather, she then converted to farm life and never looked back. Wanda and Gordon courted, then married shortly after Wanda’s high school graduation. After a few years of renting a farm, together they had a dream of owning their own, so they moved to Wisconsin in 1958, and built that dream and raised their six children on their family farm.
Wanda found joy in the quiet, rural life they chose. Wanda loved to spend time in her garden gathering the vegetables she grew and weeding. Cucumbers were a must in the garden to make her delicious dill pickles. Wanda cherished the many animals on the farm, especially petting the rabbits she raised, having a barn cat on her lap and having her dog, Max, at her feet. Wanda always had a flock of chickens and provided fresh eggs to many over the years. She bottle fed countless calves and lambs and was a partner in all things on the farm.
Wanda also worked for 28 years as lunch server for the Richland School District. She valued her contributions to the students and looked forward to interacting with them in the lunch line each day. In her later years she frequently could be found taking in the view of the farm in Knapps Creek Valley from the porch of her home or relaxing in her recliner, revisiting a good western on TV.
Wanda will be remembered for her quiet strength, work ethic, and the deep love she had for her family, her home, and the life she built alongside Gordon.
Wanda is survived by her children Linda (Mike) Pickel of Richland Center, WI; Lauretta (Reg) Granger of Richland Center, WI; Mike (Mary) Mather of Janesville, WI; Tom (Lauren Nastachowski) Mather of Viroqua, WI; John (Karen) Mather of Cascade, WI; and Joe (January Bahr) Mather of Richland Center, WI; and her 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; her mother Louise Muir Gora; her father Gabriel Muir; her stepfather Walter Gora; her brothers Bill Muir, Dale Muir, and Donald Muir; her sister Delores Moroni and her granddaughter Audrey Peterson.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 27th, at St. Phillips Catholic Church in Rolling Ground, WI. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A reception will follow at the church. Wanda will be laid to rest at St. Phillips Cemetery. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements. prattfuneralservice.com