Wanda Kaplan

Wanda Mae Collins Kaplan, 84, of Mount Vernon, died from ovarian cancer, Friday January 12, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids. Wanda's funeral will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon by the Reverend Emory Gillespie. Wanda will be buried in Linn Grove Cemetery, in rural Mount Vernon next to her husband Kenny. Visitation for Wanda will be Monday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m., at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel. Wanda is survived by a son Gary and his wife Joan McCalmant of Cedar Rapids, a daughter Wendy and her husband Marty Johnson of Mount Vernon, three grandchildren; Greg and wife Terry Kaplan of Tempe, Arizona, Bret Kaplan of Mesa, Arizona and Chelsea Johnson of Mount Vernon, and three brothers; LaVerne, Richard, and Bob Collins. Preceding Wanda in death were her parents, husband Kenny, a brother John Collins, and three sisters; Mabel Whitman, Mildred Thompson and her son Dale, and Hazel Hoffman. Wanda was born July 26, 1922, on the Collins family farm near Mount Vernon, the first of five children born to Arthur and Minnie Esther Thompson Collins. She attended Abbe Creek country school and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1940. She married her childhood sweetheart and neighbor, Kenneth "Kenny" Kaplan, May 14, 1941 in Mount Vernon. He died July 18, 1991. Wanda's faith was the cornerstone of her life and was an active and long time member of the First Presbyterian Church. She served as President of United Presbyterian Women where she prepared hundreds of meals for weddings, funerals and anniversaries. She was a long time member of the New Century Club, the Good Luck Social Club and drove cars for Plaza Auto Auction. Above all, lWanda enjoyed volunteering at Hallmark Care and Rehabilitation Center, in Mount Vernon. Wanda will be remembered fondly for her Texas sheet cake, her sense of humor and the love and joy she had for special neighbors, friends and especially her family. Memorials contributions may be made to the family to be designated to the First Presbyterian Church at a later date or to the donor's choice.