Wanda Rae (Bernard) Garrigus, 69, of Archie, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with a visitation beginning at 4:00 PM. A private burial of her ashes, at a later date, will take place at West Union Cemetery in Peculiar, MO with immediate family.

Wanda was born in Harrisonville, MO, to Raymond Jr. and Juanita (Shockley) Bernard. She played high school basketball, later being honored as one of four girls’ teams to play in the first final four basketball state tournament in Missouri. She spent most of her life devoted to raising and caring for her children, a role she cherished more than anything. Later, she worked as a substitute teacher at Midway High School, where she remained closely connected to the community she loved, even into retirement. She also loved digging into her past and studying genealogy.

Wanda found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments. She loved cheering on her Midway Vikings and the Chiefs, visiting with friends, spending time outdoors picking mushrooms, riding her property on her ATV, and fishing. Above all, she loved her children and grandchildren, who were the center of her world. She will be remembered as a strong, independent, and deeply loving woman whose presence will be greatly missed.

Wanda was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Bernard (Shockley); her father, Raymond Bernard, Jr.; and her sisters, Diana (Bernard) Gargus and Norma “Charlene” Palmer. She is survived by her partner, Mark Garrigus; her sister, Melody (Donnie) Caruthers; her children: Gina (Grindstaff) Marett of Swannanoa, NC; Donald “Cody” (Irina) Grindstaff of Marion, NC; Matthew (Adrienne) Grindstaff of McKinney, TX; and Shelby (Matthew) Stegeman of Louisburg, KS; her beloved grandchildren: Riley, Landon, Austen, Carter, Leo, Noah, Charlee, Gabe, Mila, Lily, and Theodore; her nephews, Jonathan and Hunter; and her beloved dog, Bella.