Wanda Rose Legako

Wanda Rose Legako was born on the 25th of January 1924 and passed away early morning on July 10, 2021. She was the ninth child and 3rd girl of 13 children born to immigrant parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Legako of Wellston, Oklahoma. Wanda grew up on the family farm northeast of Wellston in the Deep Fork River bottom. Wanda graduated from Wellston High School in 1943 where she was active in high school sports and a star forward on the basketball team. Wanda was not very tall but was fast as lightning. After high school she attended and graduated from Central State College where she received a Teachers Certificate in the areas of science and physical education. She had very little help attaining this accomplishment as World WAR II was raging and her parents and family were very involved; however, her brothers would send her five dollars from overseas occasionally. Wanda began her teaching career in the Prague School System where she taught for approximately five years. From Prague she moved to Drumright where she taught 7th-9th grade girl’s physical education. While at Drumright the school building and her small apartment were destroyed by a tornado with her inside nearly taking her life. She then was hired by the Okmulgee School System where she finished her nearly 25-year teaching career. Pat Ward, a long-time friend and fellow teacher at Okmulgee said that Wanda was a much-loved teacher by students and kids in after school activities. Many of her students kept in contact with her after she retired. During the summer she worked in girl scout camps in Oklahoma and Michigan teaching about the outdoors, and survival techniques on land and water. Wanda loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener. She also traveled during the summers to several states, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. While teaching Wanda returned home to aid her elderly parents on the farm. Several years after her parents died, she lived on the farm with her oldest brother, Marion, and sisters, Irene and Helen. During this time Wanda worked at St. Gregory’s in the mail room continuing to interact with students. After the death of Marion, Wanda, Irene, Vivian and Helen continued to maintain a cow herd on the farm. Wanda is proceeded in death by her parents and her brothers (Marion, Adrian, Roman, Steve, Connie, Victor, Ted, and Joe) and sisters (Helen, Irene, Dorothy, and Vivian). Wanda leaves behind many nieces and nephews along with their children, other family members, friends and past students. Wanda will be missed by many. Wanda has been in the Renaissance Assisted Living facilities in Stillwater for the past 16 years where Alzheimer’s has slowly taken her recent memory, but she never forgot her past and her brothers and sisters. She was much loved by the staff and for many years grew a garden for the staff so they would have vegetables to take home for dinner. Wanda was an active member of the Catholic Faith since childhood and continued to practice its teachings until the disease began to take her away. She always attended services provided in assisted living and was ministered to by a former student and kind soul from the Catholic Church in Stillwater. Funeral services will be held at the Lady of Sorrows Catholic church in Chandler, Oklahoma at 10:00 am, July 14th with Father Timothy Ruckel officiating.