Funeral services for Wanda Yvonne Clements Romig will be on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 at First United Methodist Church of Brownwood. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 14, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Heartland Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral at Greenleaf Cemetery.
Wanda was born in Brownwood on May 20, 1925, the child of Earl and Inez Clements. She had three siblings: brother Earl Jr. (Buddy), brother George Ferris (Poochie), and sister Nelda. Wanda graduated from Brownwood High School. While working for a card shop downtown during the early days of World War II, Wanda met Ray Romig, the love of her life. He was stationed at Camp Bowie and on his way with Patton’s Fourth Armored to the European theater. Wanda and Ray enjoyed dances at the officers’ club and dinners with friends, then kept their romance alive through letters for the rest of the war. As soon as Ray was demobilized in the fall of 1945, he returned to Brownwood to claim his bride.
After a brief stint in Ray’s native New Jersey, Wanda spent the rest of her life in Brownwood. She raised three sons: Jim, Peter, and Russell. She was a Cub Scout troop leader, member of the Woman’s Club, Garden Club, and Junior Twentieth Century Book Club, active participant in United Methodist Women, and co-chairman of the Pecan Valley Art Festival. For her civic service, she was awarded Woman of the Year Over 35 by the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce.
Wanda was probably best known as the community’s finest cook. Generations of guests have enjoyed her German rolladen and French escargot, countless poker players have looked forward to her chili, and every grandchild couldn’t wait to help bake her famous sugar cookies. Blessed only with sons, Wanda taught them all to be excellent cooks.
A lifelong reader, Wanda in later life learned to play bridge, cared for Ray in his declining years, and became a fan of Westerns on television. She showed many how to age gracefully, accept loneliness without complaint, and keep a sense of humor until the end.
Wanda was preceded in death by her siblings, her husband Ray Romig, and her daughter-in-law Terrie Romig. She is survived by her sons: Jim Romig, Russell Romig and his wife Robin, and Peter Romig and his wife Evelyn. There are five grandchildren: Tiffany Romig Way and her husband Todd, Adam Romig and his wife Sarah, Nancy Romig, Robert Romig and his wife Elizabeth, and Elizabeth Romig Hatlestad and her husband Greg. Wanda enjoyed the lives of her great-grandchildren: Dashiell, Grace, William, and James Romig and Ashlyn Way.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Chris Stephens, Dr. Sarah Chandler and their staff for their longtime care, and the staff of The Chatfield and Oakridge Manor for their compassion in Wanda’s final years. Memorials may be made to The Brownwood Public Library, First United Methodist Church, or The Good Samaritan of Brownwood.
Condolences, memories and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net.