Wilma Gruner, 89, of Coldwater, passed away Friday, January 12, 2018 at Drews Place of Coldwater.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 12:00 Noon at Girard United Methodist Church with Pastor Cydney Idsingna officiating. Interment will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Wilma was born December 7, 1928 in Coldwater, to Vern and Hazel (Wiler) Fillmore. She was a 1946 graduate of Coldwater High School who continued to have monthly lunches with her friends, “The Gals of ’46”. She married Charles Gruner November 30, 1952 in Coldwater. Together they raised crops and cattle and were the first to raise canning tomatoes in the area. He preceded her in death on December 19, 2010.
Wilma was active in 4-H as a youth member and continued for over 40 years as a sewing and cooking leader. She was the 4-H Extension secretary from 1946-1952 then held the role at Branch County 4-H Fair from 1956 to 1980. She continued to volunteer in the Honeywell Antique Hall at the fairgrounds categorizing the numerous donations. After “retiring”, she and Charlie traveled extensively both domestically and internationally, becoming “Winter Texans” for over 20 years. She used her secretarial skills in many clubs she belonged to; Country Couples, Girard United Methodist Church, Branch Co. Farm Bureau, Branch Co. Republican Party, Good Sam Camping Club, Holiday Village Association in Pharr, TX, Salvation Army Bell Ringers and as the Family Historian. Her hobbies included collecting recipes, playing dominoes, knitting, visiting relatives and entertaining her great grandchildren.
Wilma is survived by her daughter Colleen & Pat Albright of Coldwater, her grandson Doug & Dana Albright & great grandson Kaiser Charles; her granddaughter Bailey & Nick Elchinger and great granddaughter Parker Jo; her sister Maxine (Stanley) Preston of Quincy and brother-in-law Bruce (Kelly) Gruner of Okemos. Wilma gladly answered to “Aunt Wilma” to over 70 nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She truly enjoyed all their company.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Girard United Methodist Church, Branch County Fair- Honeywell Hall or Great Lakes Hospice. www.dutherfh.com