"We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept condolences from the entire team at Gro Alliance. You and your family will be in our prayers."
In loving memory of
Wanda Lea Cornelius
January 20, 1935 - June 16, 2021
Wanda L. Cornelius, 86, of rural Andrew, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at her home.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 21, 2021, from 3 to 7 P.M. at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Burial will be at the Andrew, Iowa Cemetery.
The celebration of life service will be livestreamed on the Salem Lutheran Church You Tube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX8lB97_XOTWtvt5acoFxfg
Wanda Lea Burmahl was born on January 20, 1935 near Spragueville, Iowa, to William J. and Alice M. (Nicolaisen) Burmahl. She was a 1952 graduate of Maquoketa High School and 1954 graduate of the Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls. She married Gerald "Jerry" Cornelius on June 1, 1958 in Andrew, Iowa. Three children were born to this union, Nancy, Charles, and Julie.
Upon graduating from college, Wanda taught Kindergarten at DeWitt for two years and in Maquoketa for two years. She was co-owner of both Cornelius Seed Corn Co. and Cornelius Land and Cattle farming operation. She and Jerry lived on the Cornelius Family Heritage Farm. She was inducted as a Master Farm Homemaker in 1982 and was a past president.
Wanda was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew where she served in many capacities. Wanda was dedicated to helping youth as a Kindergarten Teacher, Church Sunday School and Bible School Teacher, a 25 year 4-H leader and inductee of the Iowa 4H Hall of Fame as well as a "mom" to many detasselers. She rarely missed the events of her children and grandchildren.
Wanda was generous with her time, talents, and resources. A few of the organizations that benefited from her generosity and smile were Maquoketa State Bank Board of Directors, Jackson County Fair Board, Jackson County Historical Society Board, Iowa 4-H Foundation Board, Church Council, ISU Extension Advisory Council, Jackson County Senior Citizen Center Board, 4-H Youth Committee, Andrew Petal Pals Garden Club, Superintendent of Jackson County Fair Open Show, JCRHC Ladies Auxiliary, Jackson County Republican Central Committee. She received numerous awards for her volunteer efforts.
Those left to carry on her legacy are her children, Nancy (Lester) Johnson of Springbrook, IA, Charles "Chuck" (Chris) Cornelius of Bellevue, IA, and Julie (Jay) Jacobi of West Des Moines, IA; 7 grandchildren, Megan (Andrew) Kilburg and their children Julian and Madalyn: Tim (Erin) Johnson; Will (Kelly) Cornelius and their children Calahan and Mara; James (Janie) Cornelius and their children Logan, Anna and Zoey; Dan Jacobi, Ally (Sam) Gerrard, and Luke Jacobi. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Jerry on December 14, 1995.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church, Jackson County Historical Society, or to the Jackson County Extension "Together We Build" Project.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Our sincere condolences to all Wanda's family & friends."
"Our family's deepest sympathy to your family. "
"We were sorry to hear about the passing of Wanda. She was always so vibrant and friendly. I was looking forward to seeing her at our meeting in the fall. May God give you peace, comfort, and strength. (We rode in the same car going down to Arkansas for a CWC mtrg.) Jean and Jack Schinckel Blessings on her Family!"
"My deepest sympathies to Chuck, Nancy, Julie, and your entire families. Great memories of your Mom from 4-H and coming out to work out there on the farm in my much younger days. Thoughts and prayers to you all. Denny Heiserman"
"Chuck, Chris & Family: So very sorry to hear about Wanda's passing. May God give you His Comfort and Strength as you cherish her life that was so very blessed. To Christ be the Glory! Mark & Jerri Grundmeier (Latham Seeds)"
"Memories of Wanda are many. Bank meetings, Jerry?s campaign meetings, drives to DesMoines, her almost constant smile and wisdom. She was a caring and sharing person who helped and influenced soo many. Prayers and Blessings to all. Florian & Karen Steffen"
"Our sympathy to the Cornelius family. Our family has many great memories of time spent with your family when kids were small. Wanda was two days younger than I. She and Jerry were good role models. Lorraine & Gene Black"
"My sincere sympathy to each of you as you grieve the loss of a great lady; I so enjoyed serving with Wanda as officers in our Iowa Master Farm Homemakers Guild. She loved my reading glasses that had lights for night reading; she laughed and laughed. Lots of good memories of this special lady........repeated sympathy. Anne Marie Nelson "
"My sincere condolences to all of Wanda's family."
"Our deepest sympathy to the Cornelius family."
"So sorry to hear of Wanda?s passing. She was a wonderful woman who took an intense and joyful interest and active participation in all events around the area. Her support gave impetus to so many programs at Andrew Community School, and I deeply appreciated her interest and presence at innumerable speech and drama events. A great lady, she is profoundly and sadly missed."
"Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that we were thinking of all of you. You should be very proud of all the things that Wanda accomplished in her lifetime. She was an inspiration to young women and what they can do if they are determined. Sorry for your loss. Val and Paul"
"Dear family, You have my sympathy at the loss of dear Wanda, a great worker for the community. I am thankful to have known her while I lived in Maquoketa. May God give you comfort. from Carole Whisman"
"Our deepest sympathy to the Cornelius Family. Wanda and Jerry are together. God?s Blessings to you all."
"Thoughts and prayers to the entire family. Wanda was a sweet lady who I enjoyed especially during my 4 years of detassling."
"I met your mother many years ago as we judged county fairs. Had many a great laughs together. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. Deepest sympathy to your whole family.. LuAnn Krapfl"
"Nancy and family - Sorry to hear of Wanda's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Love you Wanda; our prayers are with your family. May the Lord ease their sorrow and give them comfort and peace."
"Wanda always made sure I did not leave their place without first eating. I always stayed, Smart move on my part. Her family legacy was always important and others always felt welcome. She will be missed. Jack Tank"
"Very sweet memories of Jerry and Wanda from detassling. So sorry for your loss."
"Wanda was so warm and surrounded by the most amazing family. I am blessed to touch on her life. Love to all that feel her loss."
"Wanda was so warm and surrounded by the most amazing family. I am blessed to touch on her life. Love to all that feel her loss."
"Wanda was a true gem! Always enjoyed our chats and her insight. Deepest sympathy to her beloved family..."
"Was so surprised to hear of Wanda?s passing! Sending my heartfelt sympathies to the entire Cornelius family. You?re in my thoughts, my heart, and my prayers. May the happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. I too have many fond memories of Wanda, and she?ll always occupy a place in my heart. I will miss having lunch with her every time I come back to Andrew to visit family. Rest In Peace, dear friend!"
"To the Cornelius family - I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother. My friend Chris Cornelius spoke so highly of her so many times. Prayers are sent to all of you. Sincerely, Christine Brown Elston"
"I knew her as a customer where I worked . She always brightened my day, beautiful lady!"
"So so sorry to learn of your Mom's passing. What a tremendously good egg! She will be missed by so many. Our family has made a contribution in her memory to the "Together we Build" campaign to honor her years of service to the 4-H community and so many others. Our hearts are full of warm memories of her smile and her laugh. We hope yours are too! Wendy, Chuck and Kelly Current, Urbandale Iowa "
"Deepest sympathies to the whole Cornelius family. Wanda was one of the greatest farm wives and more importantly the Jackson County Fair didn?t function without her ?back in the day? I have many fond memories of her there. May she Rest In Peace. Well done Wanda! Your contributions to this life will be sorely missed. "
"Wanda was a wonderful lady. She served on the Senior Citizen Board with my father. She supported Relay for Life each year. I loved talking and visiting with her at the store. She loved those great grandchildren and buying books for them. My deepest sympathy to her family. "
"Wanda was such a kind and positive person. She was a good friend to the Peters family. I?ll always remember the wonderful memories of 4-H, school and community activities. God Bless. Karol (Peters) and Gary Fike Family"
"I was so glad I got to know Wanda when we lived in Jackson County. What a fun lady! I will always remember working with her on 4-H events. My sincerest sympathies to her entire family. "
"My deepest sympathies for Wanda's family! Wanda had a beautiful smile and always made everyone feel special while in her presence. She will certainly be missed by all! "
"Our hearts are broken for the entire Cornelius family and everyone blessed to know Wanda. Sincerest sympathies to you all. We love you so much and are here for anything you may need. Love, The Ganzers (Mitchell, Lauren, Joey, Sam, Tauri)"
"My heartfelt sympathy to the whole family. Her presence was felt in devotion to family , business and community. May she rest in peace.?"