Wanda Trimble

Wanda Rae Trimble went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 21^st, 2019 after a humble and encouraging battle with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Wanda was born on May 14^th, 1957 to Howard and Lola (Champ) Ness in Grand Forks, ND. She spent her first 5 years there when the family moved to Pierre, SD. All her school years were spent in Pierre where she graduated from T.F. Riggs High School with the class of 1975. During school she was active in dance, cheerleading, piano and band. Her love of music served many over the years. While a junior in High School, she met her High School sweetheart, Jim Trimble. They attended different universities, and she went on to earn her degree from USD in Dental Hygiene in May 1978.

Jim and Wanda were married on August 12^th, 1978 in Pierre, SD. Two weeks later, their journey in life together began by moving to Fullerton, CA where he began school at Southern California College of Optometry. Wanda also began her career as a Hygienist and put Jim through his four years of school there. It was here that their first child Brian was born in 1981.

They moved to Watertown, SD in 1982 where Jim began his practice of Optometry. Wanda loved children immensely and six more children were born to the family: Kayla (1984), Abby (1986), Scott (1987), Rachel (1993), James (1995), and Adam (1997). During these years, she gave up her dental hygiene job to concentrate on raising and nurturing a large family. Having a heart for their education, Wanda and Jim were instrumental in founding Lutheran Brethren Christian School. Her passion for Home Education also began there, and Wanda spent the rest of her life dedicated to raising her children up in the way they should go and in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Many home school mothers appreciated the wisdom and advice that she gave them in their particular visions for their children’s education.

The family had an opportunity to move to the Black Hills in 1997 where Jim bought an optometric practice in Belle Fourche, SD. Here, two more children joined the family: Lucas in 1999 and Josiah in 2002. Wanda served as President of her local Home School group a number of times. In addition, she spent many hours as a pianist for her church and encouraging her children by attending scores of dance and piano recitals along with countless soccer games for Scott and the “four little boys.”

Even while caring for her large family, Wanda was always happy to meet new friends and willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to those that confided in her. Her beautiful smile lit up a room and you would instantly know you had met a friend. Her love for Jesus compelled her to live a life of selfless love and service to others. Even when very busy with her large family, Wanda found the time to be involved with those needing encouragement and love.

Her ten grandchildren held a very special place in her heart, and since they lived close by, she enjoyed many hours of loving grandma time with them!

Wanda was diagnosed with a rare form of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in February of 2018. Through this trial she remained ever humble and positive, knowing the seriousness of her disease. She continued to encourage and spread her love and concern to all of her family and friends, all with her wonderful smile on her face.

Wanda’s life will be celebrated 10 am Friday, June 28, 2019 at the Countryside Church in Spearfish.  Visitation will be held 5 to 8 pm Thursday at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche.  Interment will take place in Pine Slope Cemetery, in Belle Fourche.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Wanda is survived by her husband, Dr. Jim Trimble of Belle Fourche; children, Brian (Amanda) Trimble of Pierre, Kayla (Dr. Jay) Heeren of Sturgis, Abby (Tyler) Ehnes of Spearfish, Scott Trimble of Spearfish, Rachel (Josh) Savage of Greeley CO, James (Kenzie) Trimble of Sturgis, Adam (Briana) Trimble of Belle Fourche, Lucas Trimble of Belle Fourche, Josiah Trimble of Belle Fourche; 10 grandchildren, Nolan and Benjamin Trimble, Lydia, Grace, J.D., and Sadie Heeren, Selah, Ella, and Alyssa Ehnes (and grandson due in July), and Talon Trimble. Wanda is also survived by her mother, Lola Clelland of Pierre; brothers, Terry (Mary) Ness of Pierre, Jim (Kathy) Ness of Wheat Ridge CO, David (Lisa) Ness of Forks WA; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Wanda is preceded in death by her father, Howard Ness; infant Son, Christian; and infant grandson, Gabriel Ehnes.

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