Wanda Lynn Steele

Wanda Lynn Vickere was born at home in Reith, Oregon January 16, 1942 to Julia Anna Peebler
Vickere and Gordon Ray Vickere. She left this life on July 19, 2024 in Richland, Washington at
Providence Kadlec Medical Center.
Wanda has three sisters and two brothers, Marlenne Abercrombie, Margaret Harned, Donna
Moore, Ray Vickere and Keith Vickere. She was proud mother to Laurence Broncheau (Patricia
Broncheau), Rick Howland (Mary Ashby Howland), and Tina Baum Habig (Travis Baum); as
well as her kids-by-choice Archie Broncheau (Lorene Broncheau), Derek Williams, Alisha
Marquez and Roseann Mulkey. She has several grandchildren, Dyllon, Caelan, Carter, Helena,
Aaron, Blaze, Tyanna, Onawa, Evelyn, Madison, Lauralee, Malaya, Tabitha, Seth, Dora; a few
great-grandchildren Asher, Quintin, and others she hadn't officially met yet.
While a child, she lived in La Grande and Pendleton, Oregon. She was a Christian, who was
baptized April 1954 at First Baptist Church where she had fond memories attending. She went to
Pendleton High School, became a mother to Laurence, and a wife at an early age. She lived in
California for a very short time then returned to Pendleton and married Alfred Howland. She
learned to fish, garden and sew, and was a homemaker. She loved spending time with her sisters'
and brothers' families at gatherings very much. She was close to her mother, and often spoke
very proudly of her. She had her second son Rick in February 1967. In the early 70's she earned
her GED and became a Certified Nursing Assistant, working at Community Hospital and St.
Anthony Hospital. She married Archie Broncheau and had her daughter Tina in November
1974. She learned to hunt, dig roots, pick morel mushrooms and pick huckleberries. She learned
some ways of Umatilla tribe's first foods and ceremonies. She worked at the hospital as a single
mother for awhile until she married Art Steele in April 1982. Wanda and Art moved the family
to Halfway, Oregon. While living in the tiny mountain town she enjoyed huckleberry picking,
camping, canning, baking, crocheting, gardening and ceramics. She was a homemaker to her
family, a caregiver for the elderly, a foster mother, and worked in a cafe for some time. Wanda
was fond of cooking meals that would consist of homemade bread, fresh-canned peaches and
pickles, pies, cakes and cookies. After about 4 years living in Halfway the family returned to
Pendleton where they bought a home on Riverside. She returned to St. Anthony Hospital for
several years, working as a CNA and as Support Staff until finally retiring from work altogether.
Wanda was extremely fond of her work in the hospitals where caring for people was a joy to her
heart. After retirement she fostered children, until she found it heartbreaking when they would
move on. She also took her mother into her home to care for her when it was time. Around that
time she also became a very proud grandmother, and was happy to babysit and guide her
daughter and son-in-law in the skills of parenting. In the later years she became mom and
grandma to "chosen family". Wanda was most generous and loving. She was always willing to
help anyone who needed it. She was not a social person but always loved gathering with her
family. She was so proud to teach others the art of canning and cooking, and was especially
happy to teach her grandson a few things. Most recently she took much time reading and sitting
with her little dog Bunny. She will be remembered for her funny sense of humor, kind-heart, her
oddities, acceptance of people, extreme love of family, and all that made her the amazing person
she was. She will be extremely missed, and cherished forever in the hearts of her loved ones.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Julia Peebler Vickere, Gordon Vickere; brothers
Ray Vickere, Keith Vickere; sister Marlene Abercrombie, son-in-law Travis Baum; daughter-in-
law Patricia Broncheau, and her husband Art Steele.
She is survived by her sisters Margaret and Donna; children Laurence, Rick and his wife Mary,
Tina and her partner Shane; grandchildren Dyllon, Caelan, Aaron; extended children and
grandchildren; nieces and nephews.