Wandalene Grace Stimmel

Wandalene Grace (Teal) Stimmel

Aug. 10, 1918 to April 15, 2021

Wandalene Grace (Teal) Stimmel, passed away on April 15, 2021 at Odd
Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Washington at the age of 102. Wanda
was born August 10, 1918 in American Falls, Idaho to Cyrus Henry and
Hattie Eleanor (Schmidt) Teal near their homestead in Rockland, Idaho.
She was the fourth of six children.

Wanda attended schools in Walla Walla and Camas, Washington,
graduating from Walla Walla High School in 1935.

In 1939, Wanda married Howard Earl Stimmel of Walla Walla and
together they raised 4 children, Bob, Betty, Dennis and Steve. After the
children were in school, Wanda began working at Bird’s Eye Frozen
Foods where she worked until her retirement.

Wanda was a life time member of the First Assembly of God Church
where she served as a Sunday School teacher and Missionette’s leader,
for many years. She was a choir member and served as Treasurer for
Women’s Missionary Council. She was part of the church ladies quilting
group and helped make many quilts for missionaries that were sent to a
number of different countries. She also made baby quilts for Birthright
of Walla Walla and continued making quilts into her 90’s, giving them
as gifts to her grandchildren and others.

Wanda had a natural appreciation of music and taught herself to play
piano, guitar and harmonica. She and her younger brother, Bob Teal, 2
began playing harmonic duets together as children and later played at
church services and special family gatherings to the delight of family
and friends. When they were both in their 90’s they were asked to play
a duet at their older sister, Novella’s funeral, and they did.

When their children were young, Howard and Wanda enjoyed taking
them camping at Yellowstone National Park and visiting Cannon Beach
on the Oregon Coast. Later they would enjoy spending time with some
of their siblings and their spouses on the Oregon Coast as well. Later
their travels would take them to places like SeaWorld in California, the
Grand Canyon in Arizona, Mt Rushmore in South Dakota and Denali
National Park in Alaska.

Wanda grew up learning the value of a good work ethic and was very
industrious. Even though she worked outside the home she still found
time to have a home garden and always had a raspberry patch and
tomato plants. She canned and helped others can fruits and vegetables
in season every year.

Playing games was one of her joys. She enjoyed a variety of card games
plus Yahtzee, Triominos, and especially Bingo. Her 4 children and
whoever else might show up joined her on Sundays for a game of
riominos (which she often won). She liked to win! You would often
find Wanda working in her word Search Books right up to the last year
of her life.

Wanda was a very loving, generous person with a sparkle in her eye and
a kind word for everyone. She was a woman of faith with strong
Christian values and was example of her faith in her daily life.3
Wanda spent her later years as a resident at Walla Walla Odd Fellows,
and they became part of her adopted family. She enjoyed the
interaction of the friends she made there and loved to tease her
caregivers.

She is survived by her four children, Robert E. (Carol) Stimmel of
Milton-Freewater, OR; Betty F. (Stimmel) Blegen of College Place, WA;
Howard Dennis (Joan) Stimmel of Walla Walla, WA; and Steven E.
(Nancy) Stimmel, of Walla Walla, WA. She had 9 grand-children, 19
great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Howard E
Stimmel, sisters, Dora (Teal) Schluter, Novella (Teal) Allen, Ruth (Teal)
Smith and brothers, Alfred R (Bob) Teal and Gerald Teal.

Viewing and visitation will be held at the Herring Groseclose Funeral
Home on Wednesday April 21st from 10 AM to 6 PM. Graveside
services will be held on Thursday, April 22nd at 11 AM at Blue Mountain
Memorial Gardens Cemetery of College Place.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Odd Fellows
Home or the Christian Aid Center through Herring Groseclose Funeral
Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to all those at the Odd
Fellows home whom touched our Mother’s life and for the wonderful
care she received there over the years