Wilmagene Tumbling

When reflecting on the life of Wilmagene Tumbling, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. A warm and welcoming presence in the lives of all who were blessed to know her, she was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. Nothing brought Wilma greater joy than surrounding herself with her loved ones. Her unshakeable faith formed the steady foundation of all that she did, and she faced every challenge that came her way with grace and determination. Dearly loved, Wilma will be forever missed.

The 1920s were certainly some of the most exciting years to be an American. The “Roaring 20s,” as the decade is known, saw a flourishing rise in great economic and social change. Motion pictures became widely available in color and sound, and ballroom dancing and jazz music became wildly popular as well. It was during this influential time that Arthur and Katherine (Dreyer) Gritter of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were awaiting the arrival of their fourth child. On December 16, 1926, they were thrilled to announce the arrival of their daughter, who they named Wilmagene.

Growing up, Wilma was a typical girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home on Alpine as one of the nine Gritter children. Wilma was especially close to her siblings around her own age. From a young age, she was taught the importance of hard work and helped out around the house. The Gritter family attended Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church, which would later become Westend Christian Reformed Church and be Wilma’s lifelong church home. She attended local schools, including Harrison Park Middle School and Union High School.

Exciting changes were on the horizon for Wilma as she graduated high school and began working as a waitress. It was while she was working that she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart, Gerald “Jerry” Tumbling. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and the couple fell deeper and deeper in love. Committing to spend the rest of their lives together, Wilmagene and Jerry were married in the presence of family and friends on March 1, 1946. Within the next few years, they would settle into their longtime home on Alpine, just a few doors down from where Wilma was raised, and turn their focus to raising their family.

There was nothing that was more important to Wilma than her family. Over the next several years, she and Jerry were overjoyed to welcome their four beloved children, Kathy, Charles, James, and Bill, into their hearts and home. Wilma thrived in her role as a mother, and her children were her pride and joy. She always made sure her family had good, home cooked meals to eat. The Tumblings enjoyed renting cottages for their vacations in the summers. As they grew older together, Wilma and Jerry bought a trailer on Little Whitefish Lake, which became the backdrop for countless memories. They also took an amazing vacation to Hawaii in celebration of their 40th anniversary.

Later in life, Wilma was thrilled to become a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and even a great-great-grandmother. She adored her grandchildren, and though they didn’t always live close, she took every opportunity to spend time with them and dote on them. When her first grandchild was born, Wilma immediately traveled to Puerto Rico to visit. She suffered the tragic loss of her husband, Jerry, in 1993, and she leaned on the rest of her family to carry her through. Wilma always considered herself blessed to watch her family grow to include so many loved ones.

Wilma’s long and fulfilling career as a waitress was so much more than a job. She worked for a time at Bylsma’s, then for several more years at Lanning’s Restaurant. As a waitress, Wilma was able to interact and connect with so many people. Though she could be more reserved, she loved building relationships. Throughout her life, Wilma’s faith grew and flourished. She was very involved in her church and her community over the years and even served as a prayer partner with the youth in her church. Wilma prayed without ceasing, preparing herself for when she would finally be called home.

Never one to sit still for long, Wilma had many hobbies she pursued to stay busy in her free time. For several years Wilma bowled at Northfield Lanes.She enjoyed doing puzzles and playing cards, especially Quiddler. Wilma was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers and would catch the games on TV whenever she could. She made a tradition of making Christmas cookies with her family around the holidays. Wilma was a voracious reader of Amish and Christian romance novels, and she loved watching the Game Show Network. Her smile was infectious, and she truly had an insatiable zest for life that could be felt by everyone around her.

As family and friends will certainly agree, Wilmagene Tumbling lived each and every day to the very fullest, never taking a single moment for granted. She was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Wilma always held her loved ones close through the ups and downs of life. Her generous heart allowed her to impact the lives of those around her for the better, and she exemplified what it meant to follow faithfully after the Lord she loved. Finally at peace, Wilma leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will treasure for many years to come.

Wilmagene Tumbling, age 98 of Grand Rapids. On April 30, 2025, Wilma’s prayer was answered when God called her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; and her sons, Charles and James Tumbling; as well as her 8 siblings.

Wilma is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Henry) Veenstra; son, Bill (Sue) Tumbling; daughters-in-law Kristen and Cynthia Tumbling; grandchildren: Lori (Jim) Bruins, Matt (Kim) Veenstra, James Tumbling Jr, Christine (Dave) Cole, Charlene Stapleton, Amanda Green; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The service to remember and celebrate Wilma’s life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 AM at Westend Christian Reformed Church. Friends are invited to visit with Wilma’s family on Friday from 5-7 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Compassionate Heart Ministries (4004 Centerstone Court, Zeeland, Michigan) and Westend Christian Reformed Church are appreciated. To read more about Wilma, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com