Amanda Nicole Wakelin, 32, of Omaha, NE, passed away suddenly in Omaha on April 1, 2025.
She arrived on a Friday the 23rd of October, 1992. Born to Jim and Diane Wakelin in Graham Texas, Amanda Nicole Wakelin came into this world with her mind made up on almost everything. This independent, at times wild, streak would carry her through her 32 short years that she lived. With siblings Jessica 9 years older and Stephen 7 years her elder, Amanda took to life dancing, singing, and celebrating each and every day in her own way. Born fun-loving her smile was contagious and her joy infectious. When Amanda entered the room, the room became brighter as she sparkled and sprinkled the air with such love and zest for life.
Amanda lived in Graham until her family moved to Atlantic Iowa where she attended her K-1st grade years while loving on her pet bunny that Stephen and Jessica were raising. She loved to make mud pies with Cousin Jason and play in the creek that ran through her back yard.
In May of 2000 Amanda moved with her family to Bloomfield Iowa where she attended the rest of her school days 2nd grade through senior year.
In Davis County she learned to run like a deer where the seeds of her leadership skills grew and blossomed as she enjoyed a successful career in running both cross-country in the fall and track in the spring. All 4 years of Amanda’s high school days she qualified for the Iowa State Track Meet running in the 100, 200, 400 meters as well as relay legs events. She was later inducted in the Davis County track hall of fame in 2015.
Amanda was active in 4-H and loved to attend church camp at the Christian Conference Center in Newton Iowa where she served on the Upper Midwest Youth Council (UMWYC) during her camp 16 high school years. Her favorite camp was Chi Rho (Jr High) a rustic camp, cooking on the open fire and sleeping in tent platforms.
Amanda first played flute and later saxophone in school band and was active in youth group at the Bloomfield Christian Church. While in school she worked at the swimming pool as a lifeguard, as well as, Uncle Bob’s in Bloomfield, and Fareway, Riverside, Applebee’s, Pizza Hut, Tasos’ Steakhouse, Saints Pub & Patio and Courtside bar and grill while residing in Ottumwa as well as Texas Road House in Ames.
Graduating from Davis County High School in 2011, Amanda had her sites on attending William Penn University where she ran college track. She transferred to Iowa State for her sophomore year before taking a few years off from her schooling. She later attended Indian Hills where she earned 2 associate degree in accounting, While there she ran cross country and track as well.
Amanda did an internship at Andersen Larkin & Co PC and remained there a few months after graduating from Indian Hills in 2017. Amanda then moved to Omaha where she worked for Catholic Charities, LeadBelly and Sickies Restaurant.
Amanda loved life and lived it with gusto as she enjoyed fishing, board games, card making, quilting, crystals to name a few. She loved her family nephews, & cousins with all her heart. She was the best an aunt could be as she doted over her nieces especially.
Her social life was probably the most important to her as she was always surrounded with friends and people who loved and celebrated life with her. But Amanda loved dogs the most, Spice, Slinky and Zoey while living at home and later, her favorite doxie MOOSE. The only guy in her life who never let her down.
In July 2023, living in Omaha, Amanda met her neighbor next door, Sean TeKrony, and their friendship grew into a great love as they recognized each other as “their person” and soul-mate for life. While their love relationship was beyond words it was cut too short when Sean passed away on August 27, 2024 from liver disease. Amanda never got over Sean’s passing to the day she died. In part she died of a broken heart.
Preceding her in death are her grandparents, Dallas G. Christensen, Howard O Wakelin, Marion (May) H. Wakelin, Uncle Cecil L Wakelin, niece Callie Wakelin.
Surviving Amanda are her parents Jim & Diane Wakelin, siblings: Jessica (Jake) Matthews, Stephen (Chrissy)Wakelin, nieces/nephews: Adelaide (Addie) Matthews, Aaron, Vincent, & Brynlee Wakelin. Various Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and a host of friends and loved ones.
Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 13th at Reece Funeral Home.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 14th at Reece Funeral Home. For those unable to attend the service will be live streamed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christian Conference Center in Newton or Catholic Charities of Omaha.
A gathering to further celebrate her life will be Wednesday, April 30th, at 6 p.m. at Maplewood Lanes, 3030 N. 101st St., Omaha, NE 68134. To RSVP text 402-672-8693.
