Born on September 24, 1923, in Lewis County, MO, Wanna was the daughter of Harold "Buzz" and Beatrice Lillard Spurgeon. On December 12, 1943, Wanna was united in marriage to Billy Roy Whalen in Keokuk, IA. Wanna graduated from the Monticello High School in Monticello, MO with the Class of 1941. She had been employed at Drydens and Sheller Globe in Keokuk, IA for 25 years, retiring in 1985. Wanna loved to watch basketball and baseball games and was an avid Cubs fan. She also enjoyed quilting, gardening and watching the weather. Wanna A. Whalen died Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at Keokuk Area Hospital at the age of 81. She is survived by her husband Billy Roy of Keokuk, IA, one son, Billy Rene Whalen and his wife Carole of Keokuk, IA, one daughter, Arlene Cannon and her husband Rod of Revere, MO, one brother, Norman Spurgeon and his wife Darlene of Monticello, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Robert Harold Whalen and one brother, Harold "Pedro" Spurgeon. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 1, at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Dr. David Castrodale officiating. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk, IA.