Obituary: Wanda Janet Horton Edler

On July 1, 2022, at the age of 86, Wanda Janet Horton Edler, our beloved Nan, of Mansfield, Texas, spread her wings and went to her heavenly home. She left peacefully with her family by her side.

Wanda was born on July 9, 1935, to Raymond D. Horton and Muriel Hill Horton on her family farm near Perrin, Texas. She moved with her family to Borger, Texas, in 1942, graduating in 1953 from Borger High.

She married Jerry Don Edler in 1954, moving from Borger to Amarillo, Texas, then to Bartlesville, Okla., Stavanger, Norway, and Houston, Texas. After retirement they moved to Mansfield in 1997.

After a divorce, Wanda was given what she called one of the greatest gifts of her life, sharing in the upbringing of grandchildren, Matthew "Dillon" Anderson and Grace Anderson. Her life centered around volunteering at J.L. Boren Elementary, where she could be found most days reading to the students or helping teachers with whatever task they needed her to do. She would take and pick up four or five boys and girls every day for school, and was lovingly known as "Nan" to all that met her.

By far Wanda's most joyful times were spent in Ute Park, N.M., where every summer for 65 years the family gathered to make wonderful memories. The Star-Telegram even wrote an article about the family and their traditions in 2001.

She loved bridge, playing weekly with her friends all her adult life, up until two weeks before her passing.

She was a wonderful cook and friends of her children and grandchildren knew there would always be cookies waiting for them after school at Nan's house. She travelled the world, sharing her love with everyone around her, always reaching out to the ones that might otherwise be left behind.

It would fill a hundred pages to tell all the wonderful attributes Wanda had. She was wise, kind, loving, forgiving, generous, hardworking, trustworthy, honest and responsible. She was as beautiful (on the inside and out) on her 86th birthday as she was on her 16th. She had an unwavering faith in her God and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that is the foundation upon which she built her life.

She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. For her family and friends, she was the closest example of Christ's unconditional love for all. Although it is unimaginable for the family to go on living without her, it brings them peace knowing Dillon, Mema and Papa, Austin, Angie and Lee were there to hold her hand as they ascended into the heavens. They are dancing in Heaven today.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Muriel Hill Horton; in-laws Don and Winifred Edler; brother Douglas Horton; grandson Matthew "Dillon" Anderson; great-nephew Austin Phillips; great-niece Angie Hernandez; and many wonderful aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her children, Lisa Anderson Scott (Brian) of Fort Worth, Don Edler of Mansfield, and Jana Henderson (Tommy) of Fort Worth; grandchildren Julia Anderson Durst (Josh), John Henderson, Dalton Edler and Grace Anderson; brother, Gary Horton; nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff, and especially the caregivers, of The Ridglea Senior Assisted Living facility for giving Wanda care in her final few months of life,

Wanda was as giving in life, as she was in death, planning for many years to donate her body to UT Southwestern Medical School with the hope it might help bring about more knowledge and treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, from which she suffered for 47 years with multiple joint replacements and surgeries.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held at Mansfield Bible Church at 2 p.m. Oct. 29, 2022, and a Celebration of Life for Nan and Dillon at 7 p.m. at the River Bottom Pub, 7920 Randol Mill Road in Fort Worth.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.

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