Wilma Ruth Christian

Wilma Ruth Christian, age 94, of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away at her home on April 16, 2019, surrounded by family.

Wilma was born in Caro, MI to Carl Irvin Peterson and Oril Hazel Barber Peterson on January 23, 1925. She attended the Methodist Episcopal Church in Caro becoming a very active member in 1938. She graduated from Caro High School in 1943. She then attended County Normal in Caro in 1944 teaching at the Conner School for 2 years. In 1949, Wilma earned a Bachelors of Humanities from Adrian College in Michigan. That same year, Wilma studied for 6 weeks at Scarritt College in Tennessee preparing for a mission trip with Methodist Church to Africa. She was stationed at the Old Umtali Mission in South Rhodesia, Africa from 1949-1951. While in Africa, Wilma met James Christian; they were married from 1950-1964 and had 7 children. After arriving back in the United States, Jim and Wilma both worked with ministry in Massachusetts, Iowa and then finally to California.

While in CA, Wilma earned credentials in Early Childhood Education with a minor in library science. She worked as the director of the Temple Beth Emet Preschool and the Edgewood Preschool.

In 1974, Wilma waltzed and tangoed her way in to Tom Walker’s heart at the Social Solo Dance group. It was a singles group that Wilma created. They enjoyed ballroom dancing and married in 1976. In 1981, they moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. Wilma was trained there as a Lovejoy Hospice Volunteer in 1982. Wilma was very active in her church,The Spiritual Living Center, in many roles including janitor, administrative assistant and many leadership roles. Recently, she had been running a book club and compiling the church history. Wilma became a practitioner in 1991 and is now Practitioner Emeritus.

Wilma’s lifelong passion was gardening. She had been a Master Gardener and instructor at the Oregon Extension Service since 2006. She had been the plant clinic coordinator and mentor to at least 650 students. She earned the Golden Trowel Award in 2007, Josephine County Master Gardener of the Year in 2014 and was a OSU Diamond Pioneer. She had a special knack for rewriting songs to have a gardening theme and then convincing the audience to sing the old tunes for the Master Gardeners Graduation.

Wilma loved life and enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. She loved visiting family and seeing old friends. She had a kind and loving spirit and was willing to help anyone in need. She was a 4-H and Girl Scout Leader. In her free time, she loved sewing, reading, watching murder mysteries like Perry Mason, music including opera, operettas and classical. Wilma loved being outside in her beloved garden. Her garden engulfed her entire yard and grew larger and larger each year. Delighting all, with its colors, varieties and special spots for attracting birds.

At the time of her death, she was survived by her daughters Cathy Christian, Carla Christian, Marcia Christian, Sherrie Martin, Laurie Sue Cooper and sons Dane Christian, Reinar Christian; sisters Carol Piske of MI and Frances LaJoie of FL; many nieces and nephews; 10 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Shirley.

A memorial service will be held at The Center for Spiritual Living Church in Grants Pass on May 11, 2019 at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Oregon Extension Service Masters Gardening Program or the practitioner training program at the Center for Spiritual Living.

Heartfelt thank you to Asante Hospice Services and especially Charlotte Franklin for loving and caring for Wilma. We really appreciate your kindness.