Wahnee Marie Tanner

Wahnee Marie Lipe Tanner passed away at home surrounded by loving family and friends on Sat., April 20, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m., Wed., April 24, at First United Methodist Church, Claremore, OK, with Dr. Ray Crawford officiating.
The only child of Clarence and Marie Lipe, Wahnee was born on June 30, 1936 in Claremore. She grew up in Sageeyah and went to school in Oologah, Owalla and graduated high school from Sequoyah where she met the love of her life, Joe Tanner. They were married on June 17, 1955 and lived in Rogers County their entire lives. Their children and most grandchildren now live on the same road (which is also where Wahnee grew up) and that is now affectionately referred to as “the compound”.
As a young woman, Wahnee was not only a rodeo participant, but also a Rodeo Queen. Her father, Clarence Lipe, started the Lipe Ranch Rodeo and Wahnee, Joe and their children continued it for 45 years.
Wahnee was proud of her Cherokee heritage. She was a member of the Pocahontas Club and enjoyed being involved in many active groups. Another group she had close ties with for many, many years and years was Beta Sigma Phi. Other memberships she enjoyed were with the Will Rogers Round-Up Club, Farm Bureau Association and Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Club.
As she was raising her children she went back to college herself, attending Oklahoma Military Academy and commuting to Northeastern University in Tahlequah where she received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees. She taught school for a few years, but returned to her passions which were, raising the kids and grandkids, traveling running the ranch. She was a rancher’s daughter, a rancher’s wife and a rancher’s mother, but most of all she was a rancher herself and loved the land and on which she lived and worked.
She loved sports and never missed an event in which Jowahna, Londa or Rusty were playing. But, it didn’t stop there. She continued to attend every game Tanner, Ryder and Lacey had and as round three of kids started kicking and shooting she been right there encouraging them along as well.
Wahnee loved to entertain and threw some great 4th of July parties. Everyone knew they were welcome in her home. She was a wonderful friend and neighbor, always the first to offer assistance to a sick friend, bring food where needed and give a kind or needed word. A true pillar of the community, everyone who met her loved her.
In addition to a wealth of family and community of friends who will feel a profound sense of loss and emptiness, Wahnee is survived by, Joe Tanner of the home, Jowahna and husband Joey Hill, Rusty and wife DeeDee Tanner, Londa Tanner and special daughter, Debbie Carlton. Grandchildren - Tanner and wife Shawna Hill, Ryder and wife Kate Hill, Lacey and Jaden Tanner and Tyler Lebovitz. Great Grandchildren she adored are Dallie Jo, Dax, Avlynn, Kellan, Gentry, Ayden and Jayli.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Marie Lipe and grandbaby, Caden Joe Tanner and great grandbaby, Katie Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church for the Good Samaritan Ministry, 1615 N. Hwy. 88, Claremore, OK 74017.