Wanda Ann (Free) Maher entered into eternal rest on December 28, 2025, in Imogene, Iowa, surrounded by her family after fighting a 16-year battle with multiple myeloma. She was 75 years old.
Wanda was born on June 28, 1950, in Omaha, Nebraska, to John and Rosemary (Buman) Free. She graduated from Marian High School in 1968. In 1972, she graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree to teach History. Wanda went on to teach in St. Louis before going to Iowa State University for a degree in Home Economics. After graduating she taught at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School in Council Bluffs.
While teaching, she met the love of her life Martin (Marty) Maher. They were married on August 18, 1978. In the 47 years of their marriage she loved Marty, and their family, deeply. She gave selflessly and was there to help her family wherever she could. Wanda learned the farm life from dressing chickens to driving tractors at harvest time. She continually guided her children in their studies while growing their faith. She never missed an activity or sporting event. The love and care Wanda gave to her kids, she also gave tenfold to her grandkids.
She was a woman of deep faith and a love of learning. This culminated in the ten years she spent researching her book “Gem of the Prairie” in order to understand all of the symbolism in St. Patrick’s Church of Imogene, Iowa. Wanda was an amazing seamstress from the beautiful clothes she made to embroidered table clothes. Her artistic abilities were also visible in the decorator cakes she made for her children’s birthdays.
During Wanda’s sixteen years of cancer, she was a witness to her faith. She was committed to not letting treatment difficulties weigh on those around her and accepted her cross with grace. Wanda’s faith carried her and she always found ways to help her family. She was a wonderful, kind, and caring wife, mother, and grandmother who will be dearly missed by all her family. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Tarantolo and his staff for their support and guidance over the years.
She is survived by her husband, Marty Maher; her children, Marie Phillips (Matthew), Julie Huebner, John Maher (Lindsay), and Lisa Zuelke (Daniel); grandchildren: Marcus, Anya, Lucas, and Clara Phillips; Zachary Huebner; Gabriel, Reagan, Dean, and Beckett Maher; Emma, Nathan, and Sean Zuelke; and many other relatives.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Rosemary Free; her in-laws, Patrick and Madge Maher; her son-in-law, Ryan Huebner; and several other relatives.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Wanda will take place on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 10:00 am at St Peter Catholic Church (709 S 28th St, Omaha, NE 68105). A luncheon will take place immediately following at St Peter's Parish Hall. The family will greet relatives and friends with visitation from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Nishna Valley Funeral Home in Shenandoah. Recitation of the Rosary will take place following the visitation at the funeral home at 5:00 pm Thursday evening. Interment will take place in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Imogene, Iowa, Friday afternoon. Memorials in Wanda's name are being directed to the St Peter Catholic Church in Omaha or to the Shenandoah Pregnancy and Resource Center.
