Wanda Lou James Bolerjack passed away on June 16, 2023 in Sandy, Utah (a suburb of Salt Lake City). She was born on March 26, 1933 in Bakersfield, Missouri to Cecil and Velda Amyx James. The family soon settled in Willow Springs, Missouri where her father was a manager with a regional office of the State Highway Department. She was baptized into the Christian faith as a young girl.
Always enthusiastic and outgoing in school, Wanda excelled in academics, marching band, drum and bugle corps, and was editor of both the school newspaper and yearbook.
She met her lifelong soul mate, Don Bolerjack during school and they married after her graduation. Don served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War while Wanda, after some brief training, worked as a medical assistant for a local doctor. She told vivid stories of assisting in difficult maternity cases, emergency surgeries, sewing up fingers and toes, and other procedures when fully trained nurses were not available.
The couple settled in Kansas City and raised their two sons, Steven and Craig there. When they left for college, Wanda went back to work, starting as a receptionist and working her way up to Director of Sales and Customer Service with Bausch & Lomb’s Kansas City office. She was the only woman in the company to become a National Sales Manager.
Some years after son Craig established a successful career as a sports broadcaster in Salt Lake, and son Steven moved to California as a lawyer, Wanda and Don relocated to Utah to be closer to family and their three grandsons. She delighted in helping them grow from young boys to successful young men. Still full of interest and energy, she continued working part-time with the Sandy Chamber of Commerce and various charities including St. Mark’s Hospital Mammogram Awareness Program and the YMCA Women’s Clothing Project, which provided professional business clothing to disadvantaged women. Throughout her career, Wanda strived to be an advocate for women in business.
After 72 years of marriage, she is survived by her husband Don, son Steven Bolerjack, son and daughter-in-law Craig and Sharon Bolerjack, grandsons Don James Bolerjack, Nicholas and wife Ana Bolerjack, and Brody Bolerjack.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy. Friends may come at 1:00 pm for a brief visitation. After the service, interment will follow at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
Wanda's excitement for life was contagious. From the day she walked into the Sandy Chamber, you knew she was going to make things happen! She cared so much for people and her passion was very motivating. From wrangling the ambassadors to building a program for women's health, she was bound to make these programs move forward.
She was and is, a dear friend and mentor, and I will miss our phone calls and lunch dates over sweet potato fries and coca cola.
God bless you my friend,
Love, Jevine
Wanda we will Miss You dearly. Such a Beautiful woman both inside & out. We knew if we ever needed someone to talk to we could always find you on your patio in your chair with a welcoming smile and amazing life stories to share (weather permitting). Our deepest sympathy to your wonderful husband Don and your family. With Love Janet & Mike
From the moment I met Wanda I fell in love with her. She had such an electric personality which just drew people to her. I loved working with her on the Sandy Chamber Gold Tournament benefiting the mammogram program. She was so giving of her time and resources providing clothing to single women in need and never missed an opportunity to make a difference in another persons life. She just lit up when talking about her boys and Sharon and her grandkids. I will miss you dear friend. Thank you for making my life better by knowing you
My heart is so sad at hearing of the passing of Wanda. She was such a delight and even when she started to have additional pain and struggles she always remained positive and enthusiastic. I so loved interacting with her and all of her family and am a better person having known her. Heartfelt condolences to her family.
Wanda was such a firecracker of energy! I loved being around her and her attitude of getting after it in everything she did. She was always so proud of her family and especially grandkids and all they they were doing, their success was truly her success. She was amazing person and I am very blessed to have gotten to know her and learn from her spirit about life! We truly love you Wanda and I know I will see you again.