Interactive Family Tree - Person Sheet
Interactive Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameWanda Laverne Rager 
Birth11 May 1921, Bedford, Lawrence Co., IN
Residence17 Apr 1930, Richland Twp., Monroe Co., IN5
Residence2 May 1940, Marion Twp., Lawrence Co., IN6
Residence11 Nov 2013, Mitchell, Lawrence Co., IN
Death16 Feb 2015, Bedford, Lawrence Co., IN
Burial24 Feb 2015, Sheeks Cemetery, Marion Twp., Lawrence Co., IN7
EducationMitchell High School, 1939 (also attended Bloomington High School, 1936-38)
FatherWalter Hazel Rager (1897-1953)
MotherHazel Emily Rodgers (1898-1971)
Spouses
Birth21 Nov 1916, Ferguson, St. Louis Co., MO
Residence10 Jan 1920, Mitchell, Lawrence Co., IN1
Residence18 Apr 1930, Bono Twp., Lawrence Co., IN2
Residence1 Apr 1935, Marion Twp., Lawrence Co., IN3
Residence29 Apr 1940, Marion Twp., Lawrence Co., IN3
Death27 Jun 1982, Bedford, Lawrence Co., IN4
Burial29 Jun 1982, Sheeks Cemetery, Marion Twp., Lawrence Co., IN4
Occupation1940: farmer3
EducationMitchell High School, 1934; Indiana University3
FatherWilliam Fletcher “Will” Murphy Sr. (1871-1946)
MotherRuby Viola Wolf (1888-1967)
Marriage8 Sep 1943, Bedford, Lawrence Co., IN8
Biographical notes for Wanda Laverne Rager
Born May 11, 1921, in Bedford, Ind., Wanda was the eldest child of Walter H. and Hazel E. (Rodgers) Rager. She graduated from Mitchell High School in 1939.
Wanda was married to William F. "Bill" Murphy Jr. on Sept. 8, 1943. Following Bill's service in the Pacific with the U.S. Army Air Corps, the couple settled near Rock Lick Creek where they farmed and raised their three children, one of whom tragically passed away in childhood. After Bill's death in 1982 Wanda continued to live on the farm within a mile of her children and grandchildren, where she proudly remained for all but the last 15 months of her life.
Wanda was a member of the First Christian Church of Mitchell where she worked as a secretary for many years. She enjoyed painting and was a former member of the Lawrence County Art Association and Fleur de Lis. Above all, she was a devoted grandmother who will be remembered for her loving, involved presence and unique personality. She was a hilarious storyteller, creator of prize-winning Halloween costumes, patient teacher in the art of homemade pie crusts, and prodigious collector of shoes. She played the ukulele. She wore leather driving gloves and disregarded the speed limit. As a girl she convinced the neighbor kids that eating rose petals would give them the power to see fairies; later, she convinced her grandson that drinking carrot juice would give him X-ray vision. She once outran a buffalo. She took pride in her family and loved to brag about their achievements.
–excerpt from obituary written by Kristen Murphy and published in Times-Mail, Bedford, Ind.7
Wanda was married to William F. "Bill" Murphy Jr. on Sept. 8, 1943. Following Bill's service in the Pacific with the U.S. Army Air Corps, the couple settled near Rock Lick Creek where they farmed and raised their three children, one of whom tragically passed away in childhood. After Bill's death in 1982 Wanda continued to live on the farm within a mile of her children and grandchildren, where she proudly remained for all but the last 15 months of her life.
Wanda was a member of the First Christian Church of Mitchell where she worked as a secretary for many years. She enjoyed painting and was a former member of the Lawrence County Art Association and Fleur de Lis. Above all, she was a devoted grandmother who will be remembered for her loving, involved presence and unique personality. She was a hilarious storyteller, creator of prize-winning Halloween costumes, patient teacher in the art of homemade pie crusts, and prodigious collector of shoes. She played the ukulele. She wore leather driving gloves and disregarded the speed limit. As a girl she convinced the neighbor kids that eating rose petals would give them the power to see fairies; later, she convinced her grandson that drinking carrot juice would give him X-ray vision. She once outran a buffalo. She took pride in her family and loved to brag about their achievements.
–excerpt from obituary written by Kristen Murphy and published in Times-Mail, Bedford, Ind.7