Obituary of Wanda Kohntopp

Wanda Leone Olson Kohntopp, our angelic mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend, passed from this life and into the arms of her loving Heavenly Father March 5, 2022 in Filer, Idaho. Wanda was born September 9, 1924 in Ogden, Boone County, Iowa to William Harvey Olson and Blanche Myrtle Tooley. She was the oldest of three siblings, Harvey Lavern, Fern Darlene, and William Harold and later, siblings Donald Dewayne Winters, Lola Elaine Winters, and Rosalie Jean Winters. When about 4 years of age, Wanda and her family moved to a rural Iowa farm near Pilot Mound, Iowa where her father farmed for about 6 years until his untimely death from pneumonia. Wanda was her “Daddy’s” right-hand man and he knick-named her Tommy as she followed him everywhere he went. She so missed her close relationship with her father. She became her widowed mother’s best friend and confidant. Wanda loved school, her teachers, and the many friends she made as she gained her education. She prepared well for the work force by becoming skilled in shorthand and typing which would later prove very beneficial to her. Since she endured the near poverty of the Great Depression, her newly-learned secretarial skills helped free her monetarily. Despite difficult financial times, Wanda longed to have and be able to play the piano. By some stroke of luck, her mother was able to acquire an upright piano and after lessons, Wanda became sufficiently proficient to play for her Church meetings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She later also became skilled on the organ and served many years as ward accompanist. In recent years, due to age, she sorrowed at her inability to enjoy time at the organ in her home. After graduation from high school, Wanda was looking for full-time employment and applied with the FBI to work in Washington, DC. While employed there as a typist for the FBI during World War II, Wanda met the love of her life, Leroy J. Kohntopp, who was serving in the US Navy. After a wonderful courtship, they married June 30, 1944 in Washington, DC. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. To this union were born five children, Larry Leroy, Linda Kay, Leslie Glen, Denise Marie, and Robert Charles Kohntopp. Among the many service opportunities Wanda had throughout her lifetime, besides those relating to music, a few of the more notable ones were the Twin Falls Idaho Stake Primary President, Filer, Idaho Stake baptism coordinator, Boise, Idaho Temple worker, and her favorite hobby and passion, that of genealogy or Temple and Family History research. Over her lifetime, she accumulated volumes of documents, photos, and stories, tirelessly and patiently gathered for the sake of remembering and coming to truly know our ancestry. What a blessing for both the living and the dead! Wanda always enjoyed her flower garden and working to beautify her property. She was a good seamstress, sewing and mending her family’s clothing. She also canned fruit and vegetables from the garden which everyone enjoyed. A neat, tidy, and clean home was important to her, which trait she passed on to her children. She loved her family and kept in touch by being a faithful letter writer and by regular phone call conversations. Throughout her life, she always kept her diary of each day’s activities and happenings which have oft times proved to be a valuable reference. Surviving Wanda is her brother William (Jessie) Olson, brother Donald (Bonnie) Winters, sister Lola (Larry) Mathews, and sister Rose Winters, son, Larry (Jeanie) Kohntopp of Twin Falls, Idaho, daughter Linda (Travis) Bergeson of Moses Lake, Washington, son, Leslie (Janet) Kohntopp of Miles City, Montana, daughter Denise (Carl) Douglas of LaBarge, Wyoming, and son, Robert (Wendy) Kohntopp of Filer, Idaho. Also surviving Wanda are 13 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandson. Preceding Wanda in death are her parents William and Blanche (Tooley) Olson, husband, Leroy Kohntopp, brother, Harvey Laverne Olson, sister, Fern Darlene Chappell, and granddaughter Autumn Kohntopp. Wanda was a true believer and a faithful disciple of our Savior, Jesus Christ. She knew Him and loved Him and trusted in his redeeming power and love. The last few years have been difficult for her, but she has endured well her cross as she has sought to endure to the end. Her love, her wit, her cheery disposition, and her endearing smile will long be remembered in our hearts. Our family’s heartfelt thanks go to all her relatives, neighbors, friends, care-givers, healthcare professionals and others who loved her and helped lighten her load in the final years of her life. Funeral services for Wanda are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home and will be held at 11:30 am, Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Filer, Idaho Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 840 West Midway Street, Filer, Idaho with a viewing one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be immediately following at Sunset Memorial Park, 2296 Kimberly Rd, Twin Falls, Idaho.