Gilchrist, Wilma Marie (Reece)

Wilma Marie (Reece) Gilchrist, 95, a resident of Garnett Place, Cedar Rapids, formerly of rural Walker, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Winslow House Care Center, Marion. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at Walker United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Murdoch Funeral Home, Walker. Burial: Walker Cemetery.

Survivors include her children, Martin (Barbara) Gilchrist of Nazareth, Pa., Robert J. (Penny) Gilchrist of Whittier and Hal (Jane) Gilchrist of Harlingen, Texas; seven grandchildren, Dr. Kim Gilchrist, Renee (Vic) Patel, Christine (Matthew) Zeigler, Lisa Gilchrist (Steve Gritman), Cory (Kristin) Gilchrist, Jeff (Sarah) Gilchrist and Cam (Derrick) Fuller; 22 great-grandchildren; and stepsister, Phyllis Chramosta.

She was preceded in death by her mother; her father; her stepmother, Esther (Main) Reece; her husband, John; and brother, Rev. Bernard H. Reece.

Wilma was born Feb. 22, 1918, in rural Coggon, the daughter of Curtis Harlan and Neva (Long) Reece. She attended Spring Grove country school and graduated from Coggon High School in 1935. Wilma married John Gilchrist on Oct. 13, 1937, in Elkader; they were married for 63 years. She was a member of Walker Methodist Church, the 1918 Club and R.A.R.E. Wilma enjoyed square dancing and was also a member of the Eastern Iowa Polka Club. Wilma's family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were precious to her. She loved her church and her friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Walker United Methodist Church at 101 Ely St., P.O. Box 297, Walker, IA 52352, in Wilma's memory.

Wilma's family is grateful for the care and support given to Wilma by the staff at Garnett Place, Winslow House and St. Luke's Hospice.

Please sign the online guest book for Wilma at under obituaries.

Published Feb. 26, 2013 in The Gazette