Wilma Scholten

Wilma Scholten was a compassionate, well educated lady who devoted herself to her family and the service of others. She was a strong woman of faith. In the areas of education and in her extended family, Wilma used her gifts to encourage others.

Born August 6, 1913 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Lambert and Minnie (Fischer) Scholten, Wilma was the second child in the family. Wilma’s parents worked hard to instill Christian values in their children. Wilma went to school at Creston Christian School during her elementary years. Along with the typical fun times with friends, Wilma received a good education. More importantly though, she was given a solid foundation in Christianity that would provide the knowledge and inspiration needed throughout her life. After graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1931, Wilma went to work at Steketee’s, a downtown department store. Putting her skills to work, she quickly advanced to the position of head bookkeeper.

The time that Wilma was a young woman was known as the “roaring twenties”. It was a prosperous time with traditional values evolving into more modern mores. Women were bobbing their once luxurious hair, wearing shorter skirts and asserting their independence. While Wilma was independent by nature, she still adhered to the Christian standards she had been raised with. She lived at home and faithfully attended the Coldbrook Christian Reformed Church every Sunday with her family. Playing the organ during services and staying active in the youth group were ways that Wilma shared her gifts. Many hours were spent in Sunday School and catechism classes with some of her classmates from Grand Rapids Christian High School.

At the age of forty, in 1953, Wilma’s independent nature asserted itself. She felt it was time for a change. Applying at Calvin College, she began taking classes in education. She also left home to buy a house of her own in the Wyoming area. Even though she was older than the other girls in college, Wilma kept up with her studies and did very well. She wisely kept her job at Steketee’s to help pay for college expenses and make ends meet. Wilma started teaching elementary students in the Grandville Public School System after graduating from college. Mainly, she taught at the Cummings School and the Riverbend School. Over the years, she spent her summers at the University of Michigan where she earned her Master’s Degree. After retiring from teaching due to health problems, Wilma entered another stage of her life.

Wilma was now sixty years old and decided to dedicate her retirement years to helping others. She continued volunteering at the American Red Cross, started working for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, and the Mississippi Family Services. All of these organizations afforded Wilma the chance to travel and use her gifts where they were most needed. Not only did Wilma lend a hand in these organizations, she also took the time to encourage members of her family in their pursuit of education. Wilma was especially helpful to her many nieces and nephews.

When Wilma was not volunteering, she could be found spending time with her friends. Fishing, boating, and fellowship were activities enjoyed by Wilma and her friends at Thornapple River where they owned a cabin. Wilma also loved reading and walking along the beach at Lake Michigan. Many happy hours were spent doing both.

When Wilma needed more care in 2001, she moved into Porter Presbyterian Village.

Wilma was a well educated lady, devoted to others and to God. She used her talents in the area of education to teach and encourage others to be all that they could be. She was a strong woman of faith who will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

Miss Wilma Scholten, aged 96, a native of Grand Rapids, passed away Thursday December 10, 2009. She was preceded in death by her siblings: John, Alfred and Dorothy and many close friends. Wilma was a life-long member of Coldbrook/Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church. She is survived by three generations of nieces and nephews and many friends. The family wishes to thank her friends Carolyn Moore and Chris Wielenga for their loving support to Wilma over the years. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with Rev. Ben Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet her family Monday from 1 P.M. until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Potter’s House or Porter Hills Benevolent Fund would be appreciated. To read more of Wilma’s life, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.