Wilma Mae Martin Cline was born on December 21, 1931 in Clermont, Iowa. Wilma passed peacefully unexpectedly at her home surrounded by her family on December 21, 2021.
She was baptized in 1932 and confirmed in 1946 at East Clermont Lutheran Church. She attended Sunday School for 12 years and never missed a day. She received pins for perfect attendance. Wilma attended Clayton County Rural Schools and graduated from West Union High School in 1950. She loved attending her high school class reunions.
She was the daughter of Willard McKinley Martin and Marie Ellen Bertina Johnson Mosby Martin. Wilma was a Nurse Aid at Palmer Memorial Hospital in West Union in 1951 to 1953. She married James “Jim” Cline at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 31, 1953. To this union, eight children were born.
Wilma followed her true passion of work and became a homemaker. Her passions included, cooking, canning, gardening, caring for all her grandchildren, and baking. She was an amazing bun and divinity baker, which she and all of us truly enjoyed. She was a great host who loved to entertain.
Wilma was devoted to her family, friends, and faith. She was a longtime member of Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union. She received the PW award in October 2017 for her faithful service for so many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary- she was a Gold Star Mother, and member of the Palmer Hospital Auxiliary.
Wilma is known for saying the Norwegian Table Prayer at all family gatherings. She is a loving mother and friend who will be remembered for her kind and gentle ways, and for her patient loving soul. She was determined to be on the go daily, she stated “its good medicine to get out in the mornings!”
She was proud to have travelled to Alaska by herself, a trip she truly enjoyed. One of her greatest and most exciting adventures was exploring Bergan, Norway.
She enjoyed spending time with family, especially all of her grandchildren. They were the light of her life. Wilma also loved spending time with her companion, her cat Fluffy.
She enjoyed birthdays, holidays-especially her Easter eggs, family reunions, shopping and going out to eat, feeding the birds, and the Fayette County Fair.
She will be remembered most as a beautiful, vibrant, independent, generous and energetic woman. Wilma was thoughtful and compassionate, a gift to us all, which will be greatly missed. She had many lifelong friends.
If you asked someone about Wilma they would tell you that she would do anything for anyone without question. She would make a cake if you needed one, work in your kitchen, attend any event for her children or grandchildren, give the best for gifts for holidays, bake enough treats for an army, and love any animal that crossed her path. She was a jolly spirit that was truly the life of any party, there is truly a party now in heaven with Wilma there, and of course she made all the buns and treats for the event.
Wilma is the loving mother of six surviving children Karen Rose, West Union, Kevin (Pamela) Cline, West Union, Lori (Paul) Patrick, Waterloo, Diann Cline, West Union, Kristine (Corey) Moser, West Union, and Jackie (Bill) Loomis, Hawkeye; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, sister Laverle “Peg” Borglum Schultz, brother Adrian (Bernie) Martin, sister-in-law Beverly Martin, sister-in-law Theresa Conner, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Wilma was proceeded in death by her parents, husband James “Jim” Cline on October 9, 2000, two sons Lawrence “Larry” Cline and Denis Cline, two brothers Willard “Bud” Martin and Archie Martin, great grandchildren “twins”, a great grandchild, son-in-law Alan Rose, sister-in-law Judy Martin, and brother-in-law Milfred Schultz, niece Debbie Holder, nephew David Pritchard, and niece Linda Lau.
Wilma will be missed dearly by all who knew and dearly loved her. Her loving and charismatic spirit will live on in all the people she touched. Wilma always had a smile on her face, a love for people, and a prayer in her heart.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Friday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Friday, December 24, 2021 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union, Iowa with Rev. Don Best as the officiant.
Burial will follow at the West Union Cemetery in West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.