Mitchell, Wilma B.

Wilma B. Mitchell, 96, entered the presence of the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, with the Rev. Gail Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gideons International, Box 1883, Iowa City, IA 52244; or the Mercy Hospital Foundation, 500 E. Market St., Iowa City, IA 52245.

Wilma was born Dec. 3, 1912, in St. Joseph, Mo., the daughter of August and Lova Scott Bose. Wilma married H. Allan Mitchell on July 6, 1937 in Berkeley, Calif.

Wilma received her master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Spanish and French language and literature. She taught both languages in high school.

Wilma and Allan lived in Ridgewood, N.J.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; and moved to Iowa City in 1984. Throughout her life, Wilma welcomed many international missionaries and students into the family home. She was a member of River Community Church and the Gideon Auxiliary.

Wilma is survived by her husband of 72 years, Allan; and their three children, John A. (Elosia Ann) Mitchell of Winthrop, Maine, Stephen P. (Barbara) Mitchell of Williamsburg, Va., and Dr. Elizabeth (Michael) Altmaier of Iowa City; five grandchildren, Aimee (Mark) Bigelow, Catherine (Thomas) Reynolds, Leisa (Patrick) Narkinsky, Kathryn and Greg Altmaier; nine great-grandchildren, Camden, Brigit and Audrey Bigelow, Conor and David Reynolds, Paul, Rebecca, Madeline and Gwendolyn Narkinsky; and her brother, Phillip Rush Bose of Pleasant Hill, Calif.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Ruth Vickery.

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