October 8, 1929 – September 24, 2024

It is with sadness that the family of Wilda announce her passing on September 24, 2024 in Vernon BC. Wilda was predeceased by her husband, Jim, in 2011. Wilda is survived by her children, David (Jan), Bob (Jennifer), Kathy (Roger Strutt) as well as 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She loved being a grandmother and was very proud of all her family. She is also survived by her older sister Shirley Rowland and her younger sister Mary Belyea.

Wilda was born and raised in Saskatchewan.  She graduated from Kerrobert High School and went on to Normal School in Saskatoon.  She taught in Pike Lake, Lloydminster, Moose Jaw and Edmonton before moving to Kindersley where she taught at both Elizabeth School and the Kindersley Composite School.  She lived in her family home in Kindersley for 58 years and was a respected teacher until her retirement in 1985. She taught all of her children and we can all balance a cheque book. Several of her students returned to acknowledge how important she was to their own success.

Wilda met Jim at Summer School in 1951 and they married in 1952. At the time of their marriage, Jim was also a teacher and loved to dance. This was important – we all remember them gliding around the dance floor whenever they could. They moved to Kerrobert where Jim worked for his father-in-law, Gordon King, and Wilda worked as a telephone operator and taught piano lessons.  They moved to Kindersley in 1961 and Wilda once again taught school.

Wilda was a gifted pianist and accompanist and was the organist at St. Paul’s United Church as well as the accompanist for the Eastern Star, both for many years.  She sang in the church and community choirs as well as with the Bickersons, all a source of great enjoyment.  She especially enjoyed her piano and organ duets with her friend, Helen Barclay. She learned to play the marimba in her later years and really enjoyed being part of the marimba ensemble.  Wilda was a member of the Kindersley & District Arts Council, Queen Alexander Chapter of the Eastern Star and Kindersley & District Music Festival.  She and Jim delivered meals on wheels for many years and she was a willing volunteer in the community.

After Wilda retired in 1985 she started a Kumon Math franchise in Kindersley.  She spent her life encouraging children’s learning with a focus on mathematics.  She shared that passion with many generations of students. She had a lifelong love of learning which led to her earning three degrees, including a Masters in Mathematics. She also had a passion and a focus on women and girls’ education in developing countries, knowing they could benefit from her attention and donations. Her annual Christmas gift to her children and grandchildren was a card detailing her contributions to these causes on their behalf.

Wilda enjoyed travelling and she and Jim shared many trips with friends – travelling throughout Canada, Europe and the British Isles.  When Dad could no longer travel, Mom always said yes to travel (going to New Zealand, Bali, Taiwan, China, Japan, Turkey and the Azores to name but a few)  – with her last trip a western Canada rail tour with Kathy where she celebrated her 94^th birthday like the queen she was.

She moved to Vernon, BC in 2019 where she enjoyed an active life until she succumbed after a short illness.

Wilda was predeceased by her husband, Jim, parents Gordon and Jean King, sister Verna and infant granddaughter Elizabeth as well as Jim’s parents and siblings.

In lieu of flowers donations could be directed to Plan International Canada – Gifts of Hope (#300-245 Eglington Ave. E, Toronto ON M4P 0B3) or the Jim and Wilda Gardner Scholarship awarded yearly to a KCS graduate (c/o Masonic Lodge, Box 1422 Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0 – note Gardner scholarship on all donations) or to a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Wilda’s life will take place at a future date.

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com