Wanda Adell (Barnum) Youngbird,66, of Lander, Wyoming died on 9/15/2020 at home surrounded by her beloved family.
Visitation will be 9:00 am, Monday, September 21, 2020 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Wind River Ward, 12712 HWY 287, Fort Washakie, WY 82514. The Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 am in the Chapel. Burial will follow in the Sacajawea Cemetery.
She was born on April 8, 1954 in Riverton Wyoming to Francis York Barnum and Vanona May (Riggs) Barnum.
She grew up in Lander and started adventuring from a young age in the side car of her parents motorcycles. Her first vehicle being a BMW motorcycle.
She attended FCVH High School and was a proud percussionist in the marching band. She finished her High School Education several years later in Ethete Wyoming in her 20’s, after becoming a mother to 2 sets of twins. She went on to attend CWC and went on to work almost a decade in Special Education in Denver, Colorado.
Upon returning to her home the Wind River Indian Reservation she worked at both LVHS and Wyoming Indian Elementary in different departments before deciding to change careers and become an Over The Road Truck Driver. She drove 18 wheelers for the next 20+ years hauling freight to all the lower 48 states and 7 Canadian Provinces. Driving became a way of life for Wanda, and she spoiled her family with unique treats from all over the Country. She also took her mother, and most of her children and grandchildren on truck adventure with her.
Wanda had an intense passion for life and never lost touch with her playful inner child. She Loved fishing, and attending Mountain Man Rendezvous, actively took part in her Native culture attending and dancing at Pow Wow’s and teacher her children and grandchildren about their history. She was an avid seamstress and did beautiful beadwork.
Wanda loved her family fiercely, an intensity in her that many who didn’t know her mistook as aggressive. She was never afraid of being her compete self regardless of where it was or who was there.
She is survived by her brother, Casey (Nancy) Barnum of Lander Wyoming; her 2 sets of twins, Boyd Semich of Rapid City, South Dakota, Brian (Patsa) Semich of Kinnear Wyoming, Brenna Mabrouk of Colorado Springs, CO, & Holly Wendel of Lander, Wyoming; 7 grandchildren, Kiayah Wendel, Hawk (Angel) Krebs, Cora (Corey) Moss, Ahni Wendel, Kiran Wendel, Darren Semich, & Danielle Semich; and 4 nieces & nephews, Laura Milburn, Taylor Barnum, Travis Moore, Juston Moore.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her elder sister and husband Darla & Bobby Moore.
Sadly she wasn’t done living, but it was so aptly said, ”She never would have been, because she Loved truly living.”