Wilmine Elaine (Zimmer) TerWisscha

Wilmine Elaine TerWisscha, 94, of Willmar, formerly of Clara City, passed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, February 14th at Compassionate Cottages in Willmar.  Her funeral will be 10:30 am, Monday, March 2nd at Bethany Church in Clara City.  A recording of the service can be viewed below.  There will be a visitation on Sunday, March 1st at Bethany Church from 6-8:00 pm and continue on Monday one hour prior to the service.   Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home, www.hafh.org

Wilmine (Willie) was born February 9, 1932, in Clara City, Chippewa County, the daughter of Egbert and Martha (Meyer) Zimmer. She grew up on a farm, south of Clara City, and attended District 12 and graduated from Clara City High School in 1950.

Wilmine worked at Clara City Citizens State Bank. On April 26, 1953, she married Lester TerWisscha at Camp Chaffee at Fort Smith, AR, where Lester had finished basic training. Later, they moved to Fort Sill, OK, and lived there two years while Lester was in the services of the U.S. Army. They farmed in the Clara City area until their retirement in 1980 and moved into Clara City in 1981.

Wilmine was baptized at Bunde Christian Reformed Church. She was confirmed and became a member of the Clara City Christian Reformed Church in 1950 and then joined Bethany (Reformed) Church in 1972. She was an active member of Bethany Church, where she was involved in Bible study, Vacation Bible School, garden care-keeper for many years, Mission Quilters, Choir and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and later years with her great grandchildren and then her great-great grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking for her family and serving others.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose life radiated her love for Jesus Christ and reflected a steadfast faith that will shape her family for generations. She poured that faith into everyday moments, teaching by example what it meant to follow Christ with humility, kindness and joy. Her home was always open – she had a special gift for hospitality, gladly serving others and warmly welcoming anyone who came to her door as if they were family. That same spirit filled her days with laughter – games around the table, crafts spread across the counters, sewing projects stitched with care and playful pranks that kept her grandchildren on their toes – leaving behind a legacy of faith, love and joyful service that will continue to bless generations to come.

Wilmine is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Lester of Willmar; three children: Vicky (Jim) Hinrichs of Clara City, Gary (Vicky) TerWisscha of Spicer and Denise (Glen) Gulbranson of Prinsburg; 11 grandchildren – Byron Hinrichs, Angie (Paul) Beck, David (Mindy) Hinrichs; Melissa (Shawn) Aker, Michelle (Joe) Persuitti, Crystal (Ben) Donner, Courtney (Josh) Lightfoot, Brittany (Mitch) Grussing; Josh (Abby) Gulbranson, Sarah (Derek) Slagter, Moriah (Jason) Brower.  She joyfully leaves behind a growing legacy of 40 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren, a living testimony to God’s abundant faithfulness and blessing throughout the generations. She is also survived by her brother, John (Janice) Zimmer of Willmar; sisters-in-law, Betty Bergsma of Coopersville, MI and Elaine Vreeman of AZ; brother-in-law, Vernon Ammermann of Lynden, WA.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter and son-in-law, Glennis TerWisscha (Jim) Lano; great-great grandson, Emmett Aker; parents-in-law, Ernest and Agnes TerWisscha; brother and sister-in-law, Harry (and Marilynne) Zimmer; sisters and brothers-in-law, Grace (and Bruno) Asche, Inez (and Clayton) Vreeman; brothers-in-law, John (and Shirley) TerWisscha, Gerald (and Fran) TerWisscha, Ernie (and RosaLee) TerWisscha, Alvin TerWisscha, George TerWisscha, Marvin Bergsma; sisters-in-law, Gladys Ammermann, Elaine TerWisscha, Eleanor TerWisscha, nieces, Jody Freese, Kara (Bergsma) Hines, Diane (TerWisscha) Houg; and nephews, Jason Zimmer, Dale Asche, Joel Vreeman, Terry Vreeman, Roger TerWisscha, Lowell Knapper, and Kevin Ortenblad.

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