Beverly Jean (Baker) Steagall

Beverly Baker Steagall, 84, died on November 9, 2023 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner. A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Heppner.

She was born on Upper Rhea Creek on November 23, 1938 at the Blackburn Sawmill which was owned and operated by her parents, Oral Earl and Alda Zidona Kennedy Baker. She attended school in Heppner until 1956. She was a majorette in the Heppner Band. The family moved to Lexington where she graduated from high school as valedictorian of her class in 1957. Beverly was very active in all sport at both schools. During her senior year she worked for Lexington Implements, owned by Mervin (Red) Leonard. After graduation she worked at Pioneer Memorial Hospital and then Columbia Basin Electric COOP.

On December 28, 1957, she married Robert Steagall in Heppner at St Patrick Catholic Church. The couple have three children, David, Jana, and John. Beverly drove school bus for Morrow County Schools for 19 years. She also worked for Pettyjohn’s Builders for 26 years.

Rodeo was a big thing in the lives of Bev and Bob. She was Point Secretary for Oregon High School Rodeo and Western States Jr. Rodeo. She was also secretary for the Morrow County Horse Show for 3 years while also showing their own horses. She and Bob had a 4-H horse group and put on the Morrow County Jr. Rodeo from 1976 through 1980 with the help of many Heppner Rodeo families. Bev enjoyed barrel racing, was a member of the Oregon Barrel Racing Association. She had several hobbies including steelhead fishing on the John Day River, hunting with horses, and team roping. She was one of the first women to rope in the Morrow County area. She also enjoyed sewing, making all of her clothes.

She and Bob made 5 trips to Alaska, visiting their children and grandchildren. When Bob retired from Kinzua Corporation they made several trips to Arizona where Bob roped in the Senior Profession Rodeos.

Survivors include her husband Bob, children; David Steagall (Diana), Jana Atkinson (Barry), and John Steagall (Jennifer), brother Edward Baker, 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Beverly was preceded in death by; her parents, siblings; Delores Wilson, Darlene Padberg and Dale Baker, granddaughter Amberlee and great grandson Colin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Memorial Hospital, or Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 9, Heppner, OR 97836

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