Wanda J. Tofte was born on December 8, 1943, in Glendive, Montana. She was the youngest of four children born to Wilbur (Hoot) and Celia (Olson) Gibson. She was raised in Richey, Montana where she was confirmed at the American Lutheran Church and graduated from high school in 1961.

After high school graduation she attended Dickinson State College and graduated with a standard degree (2 years) in teaching. She taught 2nd grade in Sidney at Central Elementary for 6.5 years. Wanda was always so happy to run into previous students she taught and would frequently talk about “her 2nd grade students”.

She met her husband, Alan Tofte, while teaching with her roommate and good friend, Arlene Hueth. Alan and Wanda were married at Pella Lutheran Church in Sidney on August 12th, 1966. To this union, Alan and Wanda had 2 wonderful kids: DeAnn born on December 24th, 1970 and Casey born on February 22nd, 1974.

She and Alan purchased Gall’s Conoco Station in 1969. They renamed it Al’s Conoco and operated the station until 1989. They also purchased the Conoco bulk plant and renamed it Tofte Oil. Through Tofte Oil, they started delivering fuel to farmers in the area, and Al drove the gas bulk truck. Wanda was the bookkeeper for both businesses. She did payroll for the “station guys”. Throughout their years working for Conoco, they were able to travel along with their good friends to Acapulco Mexico, Las Vegas, and Lake Havasu, AZ.

After both businesses closed, she worked a few summers for the Migrant program. In 1991, Wanda went to work as a substitute teacher for Sidney Public Schools. This led her to a job she loved: being a speech therapist aide, which she did until she retired in 2013.

One of Wanda’s favorite past times was supporting her grandchildren, Toree, Peyton, and Parker at their school and sports activities. She spent many hours at swim meets, wrestling tournaments, football games, and hockey tournaments. She loved supporting them whether it was in Sidney/Savage or out of town. Grandma was always up to travel to support her grandkids. Toree’s daughter, Paislee (4) was pure joy to Wanda. Every time Paislee was present, Wanda was smiling. She loved every minute she was able to spend with Paislee. She often called her “her little sweetheart”.

She also loved spending time with her friends. When she and Alan were first married and for many years after, they were part of a couple’s card club, and Wanda was also part of ladies’ card club. Even though they haven’t met for years to play cards, they have met throughout the years for breakfast and lunch to celebrate birthdays and visit. Many of her card group friends have been friends of Wanda’s for over five decades.

She had a very special relationship with her cousins, Linda Benedict and Gloria McKinley. She and Linda referred to each other as “Sister”. They took several trips together and always loved any time they were able to spend together.

Wanda loved family time. She especially loved playing card and board games with family. Her only request for her 80th birthday was for all her family to play “Phase 10”, so we ended up playing for 10 hours on her birthday! She absolutely loved family time when DeAnn and Casey were growing up at Flathead Lake. Later after retirement, Wanda and Alan purchased a cabin at Blacktail Dam in North Dakota, and Wanda loved weekends and the 4th of July at the cabin. She especially loved taking boat rides on the pontoon with the family and the dogs. She loved having a place where her kids and grandkids could all be together.

Anyone who knows Wanda knows she was an avid reader, often exchanging books with friends and family. But she really loved playing her computer games daily and keeping up with family and friends on Facebook.

She and Alan would plant many flowers every spring, and took pride in the flowers they would have in the yard every spring and summer. Wanda loved the vibrant colors, and the compliments they would receive.

Wanda was a proud member of People’s Congregational Church. Her kids were baptized and confirmed at People’s. She taught Bible School and Sunday School for several years. She held numerous council positions, and very much enjoyed her Ladies Church Group. She loved getting together for coffee or lunch with her church friends. She made many lifelong friends through her involvement in the church.

Wanda had a very close relationship with her sister, Ardelle Vaira, even though they had a nineteen-year age difference. In later years, they were neighbors in Sidney and spent many hours together once Ardelle moved “into town from the farm.”

Wanda passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, at St Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana. She was surrounded by her family who will miss her dearly.

Wanda is survived by her husband Alan of 58 years, daughter DeAnn (Lorin) Cates of Billings, son Casey (Rita) Tofte of Sidney, granddaughter Toree Tofte (Brad Reinhart) of Sidney, grandsons Peyton Tofte (Mariel Warren) and Parker Tofte of Bozeman, great-granddaughter Paislee Tofte of Sidney, her sister-in-law, Betty Ann Cayko of Billings, and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her dogs that she loved very much, Allie and Koko.

She was preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Celia, father and mother-in-law Peter and Mary Frances Tofte, brother Wallace Gibson, brother and sister-in-law, Julian and Emma Gibson, sister- and brother-in-law Ardelle and Paul Vaira, nephew Collin Vaira, great niece Angela Vaira, great nephew Chase Vaira, great nephew Chase Wassman, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Wanda will be greatly missed by all that knew her.