Obituary of Wanda Marie Wiley

Wanda Wiley was born on March 30, 1933, in Neillsville, Wisconsin to Harvey and Leda Palmer. She was joined by her brother Gordon on December 21, 1934. Times were tough during the Great Depression and the dairy farm they owned did not profit enough to keep. In 1936, the Palmers sold the farm, bought a new Ford, and moved to Milwaukie, Oregon where her father supported the family as a carpenter working with his brother, Jim Palmer. Wanda grew up during the years of World War II and would often talk of those experiences. They grew many of their own food during those years and perhaps that is where her fondness for gardening started. She went on to graduate from Milwaukie High School in 1951. A year later, on June 20, 1952, she married Bob Wiley at Wichita Evangelical Church. They built a house on Linwood Ave and lived in that house the rest of their lives. During those years they attended Wichita Evangelical Church and Milwaukie Christian Church. Wanda always kept busy! She enjoyed her garden and grew many beautiful flowers. She made many quilts for charity, friends, and family. Together with Bob they traveled to Honduras and Romania to help kids in orphanages. Over the years she cared for many pet dogs and cats, too numerous to even remember all their names! The squirrels and birds she fed in her backyard were very special to her also. During the early years of her marriage, she babysat several other children in her home. After her children were in school, she worked for North Clackamas School District, retiring in 1993, Those jobs included being a secretary at Milwaukie Jr. High and in the library at Rex Putnam High School. Enjoying the outdoors was always a part of her life with Bob. Hiking and camping were always on the schedule. They had a little travel trailer and camped all over the northwest, drove it to Yellowstone National Park and even to Alaska once. Alaska was their favorite destination and they always had plans for more visits. She is survived by her 3 children, Cathy Dungan, Gary Wiley, and Doug Wiley, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She died on June 17, 2022, of a stroke in Vancouver, Washington. She had moved in May to assisted living near her daughter’s home because of a broken ankle and failing memory. She had spoken of wanting to go to Heaven several times in the last months, so we know she’s happy in her new home. She was 89. Wanda’s favorite charities include City Team of Portland, Project Manuelito in Honduras of World Gospel Mission, and Shriner’s Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donating to any of these projects would be appreciated. There will be a Family Graveside Service at Little Chapel of the Chimes in Happy Valley, Oregon, July 14, 2022, at 1:30 pm. A Reception Honoring Wanda will be at Hope City Church, 5197 SE King Rd, Milwaukie, Oregon on July 14, 2022, at 3:30 pm.