Wanda Louise Skagerberg

Wanda Skagerberg of Waveland, MS died peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Wanda was born on Christmas Day in 1928 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to parents Sherman W. and Jesse (née Tallant) Manley. After graduating from Colton Union High School (California) in the class of 1946, Wanda went on to San Bernardino Valley College and Long Beach State, graduating from Orange County Hospital School of Nursing. While working as a nurse at San Francisco City and County Hospital, she met Dr. David Skagerberg, and they were married at the chapel on Treasure Island in San Francisco in 1955. Dave and Wanda moved to Alaska, where son Eric was born, and then Minnesota, where daughter Andrea was born. After settling in La Habra Heights, California, Wanda enrolled in Western State College of Law and graduated around 1973. A genetic condition resulted in the loss of her eyesight, ending her legal aspirations, but did not dampen her fierce independence or determination.  In 1977, Dr. Skagerberg's career took them to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and five years later to Waveland, Mississippi, where Wanda was David's assistant in a medical consulting office in Bay St. Louis. Wanda enjoyed gardening, home improvement projects, local history, listening to audio books on a vast range of subjects, and a close relationship with her beloved daughter Andrea. Following Hurricane Katrina, Wanda oversaw the rebuilding of their home, which was among the first homes to reappear on the Waveland beachfront. As her husband David's health declined, Wanda relied on the invaluable care of Mr. David Bartelt, now of North Carolina. For the past seven years, caretakers Wesley and Terri Blalock and their family members allowed Wanda to maintain her independence through the end of her life. 

Wanda was predeceased by her husband David in 2011, and by her siblings Mary Ellen Clark, Donald Manley, Francis ("Pete") Manley, and Sherman Manley Jr.

She is survived by loving son Eric and daughter-in-law Ellen of Santa Rosa, California, and devoted daughter Andrea Skagerberg of Waveland, Mississippi. 

The family appreciates the support of members of Main Street Methodist Church of Bay St. Louis, as well as the care of Hospice, whose support allowed Wanda to remain at home throughout her final weeks.
 A Graveside burial will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS followed by a reception at the Skagerberg home.