Wanda Burke Alderman was born on July 9, 1934 at home to Gust and Margie Snyder Burke near Tekoa Mountain, Tekoa, Washington. Wanda passed away on May 12, 2026 in Colfax. Wanda moved to a farm on the west side of Steptoe Butte when she was six months old. She attended Steptoe School all 12 years, graduating in 1952. Wanda attended Kelsey-Baird business college graduating in Bookkeeping/Accounting. In 1954, she married her high school sweetheart Robert (Bob) Wesley Alderman and they made their home in the Steptoe area. After Mel and Jaci were born, she started to work at the Steptoe School District working there until her retirement in 1996.

Wanda did not care for retirement so he started volunteering at the Whitman County Library, Washington State Rural Heritage, St. John Museum, Washington State Digital Archives, Steptoe School and her very favorite, the Webb Slough Sprint Boat races.

Wanda loved to draw, doodle, do crafts of all kind, especially Ukrainian Easter Eggs. She always said, “I try everything but not good at any one thing.” Wanda loved spending time with her family and also loved spending time at the beautiful Priest Lake.

Wanda was adored by her grandkids and great-grandkids. There wasn’t a ball game or dance recital she missed! She made every occasion magical. Her grandkids and great-grandkids have many special memories, especially doing crafts and exploring Priest Lake.

She is survived by her sister, Diana Hall in Colfax; daughter Jacqueline (Rick) Englert in Spokane; three granddaughters Emily (Kelly) Jones, Rachel (Ron) Icayan, and Amy (Tyler) Young; and her eight great-grandchildren Led, Katy and Sam Jones and Alivia, Mackenzie, Melanie, Georgia, and Essie Young. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob) Wesley Alderman, a son and daughter in law Melvin and Susan (Ellis) Alderman, her sister Betty Crider-Hereford, and two brothers Robert (Bob) Lee and Carl Melvin Burke.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 from 12:00-3:00PM at the Colfax Golf Course. She will be laid to rest in a private graveside next to her husband, Bob.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Bethel Cemetery. Corbeill Funeral Homes of Colfax, WA is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com