Wanda Evans 1924-2012

Wanda Ruth (Giblin) Evans, from Cuchillo, NM, 87 passed away June 7, 2012 in Albuquerque, NM due to heart complications.

The family will be having a memorial honoring this special lady’s life on June 23, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Caballo Church in Caballo,NM.

Cards may be sent to the
Wanda Evans Family
HC 30 Box 32
Chuchillo, NM 87901-9603


Wanda was born July 19, 1924 to Charles and Lola Giblin, in Peoria, Arizona. Wanda graduated from Glendale High School in Glendale, AZ in 1942. After graduating high school Wanda worked as a receptionist/nurse’s assistant for a local doctor. On April 9, 1943 she married Arthur H. Evans at the family ranch north of Phoenix, AZ. They lived on the family ranch( the T ranch) until Art joined the navy and they moved to San Diego where she worked in the CocaCola Factory during WWII. After leaving San Diego they returned to the Phoenix area and the family ranch where she continued on as a hard working rancher’s wife and mother. On July 2 of 1953, Art and Wanda moved their family to the Ladder Ranch near Hillsboro, NM. For the next 28 years through 3 owners Wanda helped Art run the Ladder Ranch, manning communications, running parts service, maintaining the owners house, driving the school bus for all the kids at headquarters, and cooking countless meals for the crew of cowboys, her family, and everyone who showed up on her doorstep. In 1981 they moved to Roswell to continue working for Diamond A Cattle company at South Springs farm/ feedlot and ranch, where Art continued on as a general manager overseeing ranches in NM and Texas. In 1992 Art and Wanda retired from working for the Andersons and moved to Cuchillo where Art was hired as a consultant for Ted Turner who had purchased the Ladder Ranch.
During her life Wanda was a talented seamstress, sewing many of the family’s western clothing items, often creating her own patterns. Wanda was an excellent cook and prepared many a meal for her family and others. While in Roswell she took classes and learned ceramics, painting, piano, and silversmithing. Art and Wanda loved to dance, and danced every chance they got.
Wanda started hosting Sunday school classes in the living room at the Ladder Headquarters, in 1955. The small group headed down Animas creek where she met with other local families at the Heath residence, later the group moved to the Caballo School house to meet. During that time Wanda helped raised money to help build the Caballo Church. Wanda was a founding member of the Chamiza Cowbelles, active in Farm Bureau at the local and state level, Cattle Growers and Wool Growers Associations of New Mexico. Wanda served as a chairman of the Cotton Extravaganza, a Farm Bureau hosted sewing contest and as a participant in the same contest where she took home awards for her seamstress skills. Wanda also helped to host the “Lamb Booth” at the NM State Fair hosted by NM Wool Growers for several years. She helped to host Brangus sales that were hosted by Diamond A Cattle Company while in Roswell.
Wanda is survived by her husband of 69 years, Arthur Hayden Evans. Children April(Ray) Romero - Cuchillo, NM; Mikel(Cathy) Evans - Albuquerque, NM and Fran Evans daughter-in-law -Las Cruces, NM, Grandchildren; Anita Evans- Las Cruces, Daniel (Ami) Evans- Deming; Kristy(Cody) Cummings-Cuchillo;Cheyenne(Tony) Squieri - Mesa, AZ; Cassidy Evans & Shaun Baker - Mesa, AZ; Mikel Cody Evans- Santa Fe; Rachel Evans- Guthrie, Ok; Great Grandchildren: Riley Walker- Las Cruces; Jacob and Erik Evans- Deming; Shayly Cummings-Cuchillo; Jaxon Baker- Mesa, AZ; Siblings –Donald Ray(Billie) Giblin-Sedona , AZ; Posey Giblin(sister-in-law)-Glendale, AZ; Richard(Helen)Evans- Gilbert, AZ; Raymond(Marlene) Evans-Yuma, AZ, Ruth Cordes-Greer, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Charles Giblin, mother; Lola Giblin, Children; Hayden Evans, siblings; brother James Giblin, sister Inez Bennett, brother Van L. Giblin, and sister Eunice Ekiss.
The family will be having a memorial honoring this special lady’s life on June 23, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Caballo Church in Caballo,NM.