Wanda Gibbs

Wanda Purser Leishman Gibbs

February 10, 1924 ~ June 2, 2021

Wanda Purser Leishman Gibbs passed away peacefully in her home on June 2, 2021. Born February 10, 1924, she lived a long and full life of 97 years, leaving behind 97 living descendants who each loved her dearly.

Wanda loved her heritage and was blessed to be born of goodly parents, Irvin Cooper and Edith Deloris Purser Leishman in Wellsville, UT.

As the second child and oldest daughter of eight children, Wanda helped her mother with all of the new babies and children, did housekeeping and also worked in the fields alongside her dad and brothers. This taught her hard work which talent she used to bless her family and many others throughout her life.

On August 3, 1945, Wanda married Eugene Jens Gibbs in the Logan Utah Temple. As the wife of an injured WWII veteran, she soldiered on helping him heal and transition into civilian life which included many challenges. These challenges turned to joy for in the years that followed four children were born to Gene and Wanda, Vicki (John) Jex, Jim (Mechel Montgomery) Gibbs, Tamara (Craig) Mecham and Richard (Lori Ross) Gibbs.

Wanda was a country girl with a heart for the city. She and Gene lived many years in the Bay Area of California where she grew to love the ocean, a love of which she carried throughout her life. During their years there they enjoyed many social events and Wanda was a gracious and lovely hostess. They belonged to a club called “The Debonaires” where they enjoyed dancing together. Wanda and Gene were active in the JC’s where they met many people and had opportunities for service.

During the years they were in Utah raising their family, Wanda also loved the mountains. In her early years she would fish and hunt alongside Gene. She was a girl of all trades! She also loved the cultural arts and was on the board of the Springville Art Museum. Wanda had a great sense of humor and always loved to go do something fun!

From her mother and grandmothers, she learned to love gardening, growing beautiful flowers and plants which gave her joy throughout her life. Creating meals from her garden harvest and canning and freezing her fruits and vegetables gave her purpose and joy--and delicious food for her family! Wanda was an excellent cook but even more she loved to set a beautiful table.

One of Wanda’s greatest highlights in life was their mission to Nauvoo, Illinois where they worked at the various church history sites. She loved telling the pioneer stories and decorating the various homes and buildings for the holidays.

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life and held many callings with a particular love for the Primary children. She also loved serving in the temple.

Wanda called her numerous posterity her “crown” in this life. More than anything else she loved her family and will be missed by them all. She is survived by her brother, Grant Leishman; her sisters, Gloria Wheatley and Carolyn Olsen. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Dee, Donald and Tony Leishman; sister, Jolene Chugg and grandson, Kaisen Gibbs.

*Please note address change for funeral service and visitation*

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Colonial Springs Ward, 480 West 2000 North, Harrisville, Utah, 84414. Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Hyrum City Cemetery. Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.

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