Wanda Haneline

Wanda Leslie (Diness) Haneline, beloved mother, sister, aunt and nonna, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 4th, 2024 at the age of 80 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Wanda Leslie Diness was born in 1944 in a place where spring comes in March. Clarksdale, Mississippi, just south of Memphis, is the home of the Blues and music legends including Muddy Waters and Sam Cooke. It was also where her mother was born and she was proud to share this family history. 

Wanda was the eldest of three daughters who grew up in Chesterton, Indiana where her parents Edith (Bloom) and Albert Diness ran the town jewelry store. In 1962, she graduated high school and chose to attend Indiana University. Wanda was a second generation Hoosier, following in the footsteps of her father. In 1967, she earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree and took her first job teaching high school English in Gary Indiana. Wanda retired from teaching and went on to lead a long and varied career dedicated to her family and life-long passion of teaching others. 

In 1966, Wanda married the love of her life, an IU football player named Richard Lee Haneline. They raised two children together and lived in more than 14 cities together during their 57 year marriage. In 2008, she moved back to Indiana and called Noblesville home for the past 16 years.

 Wanda lived her life passionately, emotionally, and with a deep sense of purpose.

• She was proud to work as an officer in the local League of Women Voters, as well as the Cystic Fibrosis Society and American Cancer Society. She believed in service, charity and making the world a better place.
• She believed in music and taught herself to play guitar. A love she passed down to her children and grandchildren. 
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• She was a master quilter, master gardener, self-taught golfer, cook and dedicated volunteer. Moving so many times, Wanda prided herself on being able to “bloom wherever she was planted.” Her hobbies allowed her to easily make friends who loved her dearly.
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• She believed in writing and sent wonderfully long letters and emails. Her voice will always be remembered in the words and thoughts she shared with us. She believed in holidays and family gatherings. She made special meals, homemade pies, cookies, holiday decorations and scrapbooks to celebrate and remember our time together. 
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• She was a fun mother and “nonna” to her grandchildren. Always planning adventures and activities - from garage sales to art festivals, museums and more. She made learning fun.
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• She believed in a peaceful mind, body and spirit and learned yoga at the MSU union when everyone else did Jazzercise. She taught yoga for over 30 years, including chair yoga into her 80s.
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Finally and most importantly, Wanda came to find peace and joy in everyday things. Her dogs. Her friends. Her family. Her husband. May we all find peace and joy in everyday things and may her memory live on forever in your heart. 

 Family Who Went Before Wanda was predeceased by father, Albert; mother, Edith; and husband, Richard.

Family She Left Behind Wanda is survived by her son, Aaron Haneline, his wife Amy and their two sons Isaac and Noa; as well as her daughter, Aliza Hutchison, her husband John, and their daughter Ava and son Chase. She also leaves behind her two sisters, Madelyne Sheehan and Vicki (David) Brostom, as well as 8 nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, please visit the tree store to order memorial trees in Wanda’s memory.