Wanda Maxine (Chapman) Griese was the second born daughter to Archie Ray and Gladys Pearl Chapman on July 30, 1933.

Wanda's parents started the town of Last Chance in 1926 with Essa and Bernice Harbert where they ran the First General Store. Soon after Wanda and her older sister Ruby were born, they sold the store and purchased land to farm and ranch just southeast of Last Chance where they raised Ruby and Wanda. When asked about the farm Wanda often cited "the pretty place" which was a grove of trees along the creek where she enjoyed the beauty of God's land.

Wanda met Bobby Griese the first day of eighth grade in a one room schoolhouse in the fall of 1947. She would recall this memory with a smile and in her own words, "He was the best-looking boy I had ever laid eyes on." Early in high school Bobby and Wanda attended a revival at the Limon Methodist Church where they both accepted the Lord into their hearts and lives and were baptized together that same day. Just prior to graduating together, Bob and Wanda had their first real date at the Senior Prom in the spring of 1951.

Wanda went to UNC in Greeley in fall of 1951 majoring in music and graduating in 1955. At that time Bob was called into service for his country, being drafted and shipped to Korea. While in the service Bob came to the realization that he wanted Wanda to be his bride, so he wrote her a letter asking, "the question". Wanda replied by letter with an enthusiastic "yes". On June 19, 1955, while Bob was home on military leave, they were married at the Howard United Methodist Church of Last Chance. Just days before Wanda's passing, they had celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary.

Wanda and Bob began their married life in Mineral Wells, Texas at Walter Air Force Base. While Bob was finishing his military service Wanda returned to Colorado to begin teaching music in Snyder. In 1956 they headed to Rock River Wyoming where Wanda taught music and home economics.

They moved back to Last Chance in the spring of 1957 and started a family of their own. Larry Wane Griese arrived on August 7 of 1957, followed by Paul Dexter on May 20 of 1961, and finally Randy Ray on July 16 of 1963. In 1958 Bob and Wanda began running the Last Chance Cafe and shortly after built a six-room motel, while they lived in a small trailer next to the motel. With the help of Wanda's parents, they grew their business alongside their family and rented the Last Chance Store.

In 1963 they moved the store and motel to the North side of Highway 36, added a restaurant and changed the name to the Red Spur. Soon after, Bob added a home to the back of the Red Spur and sold the motel to his sister's family. It was here where they remained both at home and business for 28 years. Wanda was a hard worker and truly loved being of service to others. Entering the store, one would be welcomed by Wanda's genuine smile, and you would not have to stay around for long before she would offer you a seat at the family dinner table.

In July of 1986, a motorhome caught fire at the gas pumps and the Red Spur was completely destroyed. Losing both their home and business was devastating, but together and with God's guidance they picked up and started over in Brush, Colorado.

They opened Red Spur Music Store with sons Larry and Randy and also purchased Crain's Cafe with Bob's sister Faye and her husband John Cable. John and Faye ran the kitchen, Wanda waited tables, and Bob assumed the responsibilities of bookkeeping, maintenance, and washing dishes. At one time or another everyone in the family helped in the store and restaurant.

In 1997 Bob and Wanda decided to try something new and took to the road. They enjoyed traveling together and made their living selling Wood Intarsia artwork that Bob made when they were at home. In 2004 Bob and Wanda decided to stay closer to home and went to work as door greeters at Walmart in Ft Morgan. Wanda was once again able to enjoy sharing her smile and kindness while spending time visiting with people from her community. In 2014 Bob and Wanda decided to retire and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with their grandkids and great grandkids.

In her later years Wanda fought the difficult battle of dementia and Alzheimer's. She was able to live at home with the love of her life until her passing on June 25, 2022, with Bob by her side at the age of eighty-eight.

Through Wanda's music, her beautiful singing, and her great faith, she made many lasting friendships, and no one was a stranger for long.

Left behind to celebrate the life and love of Wanda is her husband, Robert "Bobby" Griese, sisters-in-law Faye Cable, Fern Kral, and Florine Griese. Wanda's sons and their families, Larry and Janice Griese of Akron, Paul and Gayla Griese of Akron, Randy, and Jeri Lynn Griese of Lochbuie, her beloved grandchildren Tim Griese, Tahlia and Zac Lambert, William and Aurora Griese, Robert and Chelce Griese, Brenda and John Harris, Anthony Griese, and Molly Griese. Wanda also leaves behind many great-grandchildren who will dearly miss her hugs and kisses, Samuel Jasper Griese, Austin and Joseph Liberto Griese, Quynn, Cole, and Julie Lambert, Andrew and Samantha Griese, Sidney, London, and Cairo Harris. Wanda joins in Heaven her parents Archie and Pearl Chapman, in-laws William and Hazel Griese, and sister Ruby Lee.

A memorial service will be held for Wanda Saturday July 2, 2022 at 10:00 am at Brush United Methodist Church. Inurnment at Brush Memorial Cemetery Columbarium will immediately follow the service.