Otte-Coleman - City Magazine

Whatever happened to
Wanda Lou (Lowry) Royse
Wanda Lou Lowry, Miss North Dakota
1967. It’s hard to believe it’s been
four decades since that name was a
household word. Let’s catch up with her!
Having just graduated from New Town High
School, Royse moved to Bismarck to prepare for the
Miss America pageant. She says it was THE turning
point in her life. “I met Jane Grey Stewart, who directed
the N.D. pageant and became my chaperone,” said
Royse. “I worked at KFYR-TV, where I did commercials
and sang on the ‘This is Music’ broadcast to schools
across the state. And, I toured the U.S. with Fred
Waring for a year. These experiences truly changed my
life!”
After the national pageant, Royse returned to
Bismarck to be a KFYR-TV weather person and host
the “Be Our Guest” show. She graduated from Bismarck
Junior College, and in 1976, her life took another major
turn when she married Al Royse of Mandan. “I moved
to the Bay area because my husband got a job with a
CPA firm there,” said Royse. “We’ve been in Calif. ever
since!”
With a tear in her voice, Wanda says she’s most
proud raising two fantastic kids, Jennifer and Matthew,
who would come home each summer to work at
Grandma and Grandpa Royse’s produce stand in
Mandan. Jennifer was a performer in New York City
for two years before founding The Royse Group, a real
estate agency specializing in relocating executives.
Matthew recently graduated with a master’s degree in
accounting and is job hunting.
Wanda, who earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors
in broadcasting and theatre arts from San Jose State,
By Renae Hoffmann Walker
Calif., continues to perform with many West Coast
groups, most recently the Golden Gate City Orchestra.
Besides raising kids, singing, doing community
theatre and volunteer work, Royse owns three
businesses. She founded WR Communication
Consultants 26 years ago. She and her five consultants
work with large companies and individuals on
presentation skills, writing, team building, leadership
and customer satisfaction.
Two years ago, she created WR Costume
Collective to rent out her many costumes. Recently,
she started her third business. “It’s my retirement plan,”
said Royse. “I get to eat and share delicious, healthy
Belgian chocolate called Xocai.”
While Wanda has been involved with her
community and church in San Mateo, Calif., she says
it’s not the same as living in N.D., where she feels
there’s a deeper connection with people. “They seem
more like family,” said Royse.
NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME SERVICE
Welcomes you to Bismarck-Mandan
For Free Gifts Contact:
Verdeen at 391-0094 or Ileen at 400-2919
or email us at newneighbors@bis.midco.net
14 thecitymag.com