Wanda Yeager Manning Fortune

Wanda Yeager Manning Fortune passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2024, after an amazing 100 year life.

Born August 4, 1923, the 5^th daughter of Glenn R. and Maurice V. Yeager of Terre Haute, IN. She was descended from Nicholas Yager, who emigrated from Hesse, Germany to Culpepper Co., Virginia in 1717. Nicholas III came to Indiana in 1816.

She attended Indiana State College and the Indiana Univ. School of Nursing. She was married to Dr. K. Randolph Manning with whom she had four children: Kathleen Harris (John), Stephen R. Manning (Jane), Patricia M. Arbuckle (Steven), and Maj. (Ret.) David M. Manning (Cara); 5 grandsons: John Harris (Karen), Tim Harris (Amy), Ben Floreck (Jamey), Stephen Floreck, and Andrew Manning (Melissa); and 8 great grandchildren; 1 stepson Dr. John B. Fortune (Jan) and 13 step grandchildren. She is survived by 2 sisters and several nieces and nephews. 

After her first husband’s death in 1984, later she married W. Brooks Fortune with whom she did extensive travelling around the world. 

She was a life member of Pioneers of Indiana, Daughters of the Amer. Revolution (Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter), Purdue Pres. Council, Indpls Museum of Art, Indpls Children’s Museum, Indpls Day Nursery Auxiliary, Nat’l Assoc of Miniature Enthusiasts (N.A.M.E.), Vigo Co. Historical Soc., and Germanna Fdtn. Of Culpepper Co., VA. 

She was also a member of Meridian Hills Country Club, Contemporary Club, Café y Cultura, Bonita Springs of FL Speakers Assembly, and the Conservancy of SW Florida. 

She had a distinguished term of service as a Trustee of the Indiana Historical Society and upon her retirement in 2014 was given the title of Trustee-Emerita. 

She was an avid reader, loved to travel, had a beautiful miniature house, “Chateau Beaumont” which she donated to the Children’s Museum in 2019, and most of all enjoyed her family and friends. 

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, August 2, from 4 pm to 7 pm, at Flanner Buchanan - Broad Ripple, 1305 E. Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 3, at 11 am, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 7900 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46250. Wanda's final resting place will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Terre Haute, IN, on Monday, August 5.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made out to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.