Wanda Stanhouse

The world became less kind with the peaceful passing of Wanda Jo Stanhouse, 89 on June 10, 2025, who always looked for the positive in each person and situation. Graveside services will be held Monday June 16, at 10:00 at Cloverdale Memorial Park under the direction of Pastor Jim Harris from Heritage Bible Church.

Wanda was born October 8,1935 in Blackwell, Oklahoma to Weldon and Audra Dunaway. They also had an older son, Carl. Audra succumbed to an illness six months after Wanda’s birth. The family moved to several cities in the Midwest throughout Wanda’s formative years. Weldon eventually met and married Ethel Haegle in 1944 in Miles City, Montana and, along with her children Jim and Marilyn, formed a new family. Weldon and Ethel later had another daughter, Carol Anne.

Wanda graduated from high school in Alton, Illinois. She then moved to DuQuion, Illinois, where Wanda met and later married the love her love Everett. The couple moved to Southern California in 1953, where they raised sons, Joe, Jim and Jeff, and daughter Sheryl. The family settled in Idaho in 1972, including her beloved dog Babes, and Wanda has remained here since, except for three years in Alaska. Her career choices were as a Nursing Assistant or Office Administrator.

The nursing background proved beneficial as Wanda was the caregiver for several years for her Mother-in-law Georgia and husband Everett when they became seriously ill. She also assisted her sister Carol Anne through her cancer treatments.

Wanda was always deeply involved in her faith, especially providing support in some of the most difficult periods in her life and helping others. She served many roles for several years for Mountain View Baptist Church. Upon retirement, she became the Director for Community Ministries Food Pantry which helped thousands of families over the years. She later became a member of Heritage Bible Church, who have supported Wanda extensively over her final years. Wanda was also an avid sports fan, particularly baseball, and any sport involving Boise State.

She is survived by son Joe, grandson Blake; son Jim, granddaughter Kim (Dru) Modi, great granddaughters Elica and Kirra; son Jeff, grandsons Brandon and Jason (Heather), great grandson Eli; daughter Sheryl (Ken) Sale, grandson Justin, granddaughter Jenna, great grandson Brayden; sister Marilyn, her children Kevin and Laurie and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a couple of her favorite charities, the Idaho Food Bank or the Idaho Youth Ranch. We would also like to thank all the wonderful people from Full Circle Health, the Nurses and CNAs at Arbor Valley of Cascadia, and Idaho Home, Health and Hospice.