Wilma Edith Grossheider

Wilma Edith Grossheider, 97, formerly of Gordonville, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

She was born June 9, 1920, on a farm on Highway 74 near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the daughter of Albert and Magdalene Keller Schrader. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville, Missouri. She and Melvin Grossheider were married August 27, 1944 at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville, Missouri. They were both life-long members of the church. Melvin passed away on April 26, 2002.

Wilma attended the Pecan Grove School in Cape County in her early years, and then graduated from the former College High School in Cape Girardeau. She was a member of the National Honor Society there. From 1939 through 1944, after completing two years at Southeast Missouri State Teachers college, she taught in rural Cape County schools and at Williamsville Public School in Wayne County, Missouri. Then in 1964 she earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from the college. She completed several correspondence courses from University of Missouri, Columbia, also. She began teaching for the Jackson R-2 School district at Millersville, Missouri and retired in 1982 after 18 years. She had many fond memories of her students and parents in that tenure.

She was an active member and leader of many civic and church organizations including Zion Lutheran Ladies’ Aid, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, AAL, PTA and PTO, Missouri States Teachers Association, Jackson Retired Teachers, Cape County Retired Teachers, Cape County 4-H and Gordonville Friendship Club. Wilma and Melvin raised their family in the home which they built south of Gordonville. Her joy was her family, her home and her church.

Loving survivors include two daughters, LaVerne (Steve) Hoerchler of Eureka, Missouri, and Corliss (Glen) Meyr of Chaffee, Missouri; and a son, Don (Lorie) Grossheider of Cape Girardeau. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Philip (Kate) Hoerchler and children Mae and Graham of Kirkwood, Missouri; Mathew (finance` Crystal Jedynak) of Eureka, Missouri; Lori (Daniel) Perry and children Ava and Clara of Chesterfield, Missouri; Callie (Kyle) Perry and Rodrick and Roslyn of Rolla, Missouri; Abby (Clye) Huck and children Clayton, Levi, Clarey, and Liam of Valles Mines, Missouri; Neal (Kori) Grossheider of Pensacola, Florida; and Clint Pogue of Eureka, California.

 Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Louise (the late Eugene) Schrader and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years; her parents; brothers, Marvin and  Eugene Schrader, and Norman who passed away at the age of 4; sisters, Alberta Loos and infant Cleo Schrader; and granddaughter, Adria Meyr in 2003.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the compassionate care given her at Lutheran Home Assisted Living West since 2011, Lutheran Home Skilled Nursing, and St. Francis Hospice.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 10, from 1:00 pm until service time at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville, Missouri.

Funeral service will be at 2:30 pm at the church, with the Rev. Pastor Gary Hoffstetter officiating.

Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In leu of flowers, memorials may take the form of contributions to Zion Lutheran Church of Gordonville or The American Diabetes Association.

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