Obituary: Wilma A. Baldwin

As received from the Pearce Funeral Home:

UPDATE: A celebration of life will be held in honor of Wilma at 11:00 am on Saturday June 22, 2024 in the Siskiwit Reception Hall located in Calumet, Michigan.

Wilma A. Baldwin, 92, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 5 2022 at the Omega House in Houghton Michigan.  She is survived by one son, Steven Baldwin (Jane) of Angola Indiana.  One daughter Jenny Meulemans (Brian) of Green Bay Wisconsin.  A daughter-in-law, Sherri Baldwin of Windsor Wisconsin.  Seven grandchildren (spouses); Katie (Josh), Spencer (Marie), Ryan, Kristy (David), Mareah (Ryan), Jeremy (Naomi) and Elizabeth.  One great grandchild; Violet Dale and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Keith; two sons David and Dale;  four sisters; Helen Stadnyk, Harriet Yerkie, Leora Schroeder and Emily Brook.

Wilma was born January 2, 1930 in Bath Township Michigan.  She was raised on a small family dairy farm during the depression as the youngest of five daughters.  Wilma’s love of gardening and animals started there and she was a very active 4-H participant growing up; sewing, canning and showing her favorite jersey cows.  Later in life while living in Houghton she would serve as a 4-H leader.  In her later years suffering from dementia, conversations about farming and cows would bring her back to happy memories. 

She attended Haslett High School graduating as valedictorian in 1948.  She then attended Michigan State University where she met Keith.  Wilma majored in Med Tech, but left before graduation to marry Keith at age 21.

Keith and Wilma lived in Georgia and New Jersey during his Korean War service.  Dale was born in New Jersey.  Later they moved to Maine for Keith’s grad school, followed by a move to Massachusetts where Dave and Steve were born.  During the time in Massachusetts with three small boys, Wilma went back to school at Salem College and received a degree in education.

In 1963 Keith left work in the defense industry and the family relocated to Hancock Michigan.  Wilma was not able to start teaching as daughter Jenny was born, so she stayed home a few more years.  During that period, she did additional weekend classes at Northern Michigan University to get her Michigan teaching license.

Wilma spent 1969 teaching at Chassell Elementary School.  In 1970 she began her teaching career at Houghton Elementary.  She primarily taught first grade for the next 20 years.  She loved her first graders and took a lot of pride in their progress from not reading to reading by the end of the school year. 

Upon her retirement she devoted her time caring for Keith along with gardening, sewing, enjoying grand children and her many dogs over the years. 

Wilma was able to stay at home until age 90 when circumstances led to her relocation to The Bluffs.  She resided at the Bluffs for the next 2 ½ years.  After a very short 4 month stay at another local assisted living facility, she entered hospice care at Omega House.

Our family would like to thank the staff at the Bluffs and the aides at 906 services for keeping her safe through the worst of Covid.  Your care exceeded our expectations and for that we are grateful.  The staff at Omega House for helping to ensure Wilma’s peaceful passing.  To John & Val who provided much kindness and support for Wilma during her last years.  All her neighbors who would keep a watchful eye when she was still home.

Wilma loved the Copper Country and the people here.  Her wish was to never leave and in the end that wish was honored. 

Online condolences can be left at Pearce Funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to the Omega House in Houghton.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.