Wanda Tharp Petrich, age 74, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on October 6, 2022. A time of gathering will be held in Wanda’s honor on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St SE) in Prior Lake.
A short service will be held for Wanda, beginning at 7:15 PM. You can watch the service via Zoom, by clicking this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89680417493
On December 11, 1947, in Marion County, Kentucky, parents Oscar and Virginia (Deering) Tharp were blessed with their first of 3 daughters, Wanda Joyce. The family lived “in town” and on a farm near Lebanon, Kentucky, complete with sheep, a monkey, and a goose that chased Wanda and her sisters around! Growing up, she was well liked by all, even being named Prom Queen of Lebanon High School in 1966. After graduating from high school, Wanda began X-Ray Technician training in Louisville. While in school, her father passed away, a loss that affected Wanda deeply. She stepped into a new role, helping her mom and sisters at home and fostering a caretaking nature that she maintained the rest of her life.
While working as an X-ray tech in Louisville she met Dale Petrich through a mutual friend. They began dating but soon after, Dale’s company transferred him to Jackson, Mississippi. Wanda and her dear friend, Juanzelle Hodges, moved to Atlanta to work at Emory University Hospital and took many fun trips around the south, including trips to Madi Gras. Throughout the next couple of years Dale and Wanda kept in touch. Dale’s work brought him back to his home state in Minnesota and both of them decided to shorten their dating distance. Wanda drove up from Georgia and bought a condo in Burnsville, MN. She accepted a job at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and, during her time she worked her way up to assistant head technician. Wanda and Dale tied the knot on April 8 th , 1978, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. In 1980 they welcomed their first baby, Mitchell. 1983 was a more difficult year. During the wait to welcome their second child, Chelsea, Wanda unexpectedly lost her mother before giving birth. This was a time of grief and joy for the family. In 1984, they took up the challenge to design and build a new house together in Prior Lake and were blessed to fill it with their two children, Mitch and Chelsea, and pup Misha.
In 1991, Wanda and Dale decided to move their family to Charlotte, North Carolina and sold their current home. The move did not take place for many reasons. They decided to stay put in Minnesota and bought a house a mile away from their previous home. They spent the next few decades putting every last detail and personal touch into their new space. Wanda had impeccable taste, and a “natural” eye for design; it may have taken her some time to decide on what she wanted, but once she did, it was perfect. Over the next 30 years Wanda developed a special comradery with the ladies in the neighborhood and they became especially close during COVID. Wanda loved making every event special and caring for her home and family.
Wanda lost her father and sister, Cindy, to Polycystic Kidney Disease, a disease that she battled herself. In 2002, Wanda needed a kidney transplant. It turned out that Dale was a match in more ways than one, and he donated a kidney to her, a fact that he liked to jokingly remind Wanda of if they ever got in a disagreement! Her kidney transplant gave Wanda a new lease on life, dramatically improving her quality of life, and blessing her family with 20 more years of love, memories, and smiles.
Family mattered above all else to Wanda. She was the glue that brought her family and friends together, and she knew just how to take care of you, even if you didn’t know yourself. Her calm sense of self put everyone around her at ease, but it was always a joy to her family when “Mom” would shift over into sassy quick witted “Wanda” mode! Wanda loved spending time with Dale and the kids, whether it be on family road trips, beating Dale at golf and cards games, or supporting Chelsea and Mitch’s ever-changing interests. In her free time, Wanda enjoyed golfing, skiing, bowling, playing cards, fishing, and a good margarita with her favorite Mexican dish. Wanda loved to travel and explore the local attractions. She had such an extraordinary green thumb; she kept plants alive for decades and planted hundreds of hostas all around her home. Wanda enjoyed listening to music, decorating her home for the holidays, and preparing elaborate meals in the kitchen for those who entered her home.
She is reunited in Heaven with her parents, Oscar and Virginia Tharp; sister, Cindy Tharp; and brother-in-law, Charles Riddle.
Wanda’s selfless, courageous nature will forever be missed and loved by her husband, Dale; children, Mitchell (Meg) Petrich and Chelsea Petrich; sister, Bridgett Riddle; many other relatives, friends, and caring neighbors.
