Wilma Grace Lewis, 77 passed peacefully on the evening of September 16, 2024 in Salida, Colorado.
She was born August 26, 1947 in Beaver County, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her brothers Roy G, Jackie (Jack Jr.) and David Benn, and her sister Dorothy May Benn. Her parents were Jack E. Benn and Dorothy Ione Tunnell.
Soon after completing high school in Fairplay, Colorado, Wilma married Wilbur G. Lewis in 1965 in Hartsel, Colorado. They had two children, Stephanie S. Lewis in 1969 and Jack H. Lewis (Jenny J. Sherburne) in 1972. The family moved to Saguache, Colorado in 1972.
Wilma stayed home with the kids until they were in their teens. Wilma was going to take a ‘few classes’ and ended up with a degree in English Education from Adams State College, and a Graduate Degree from University of Northern Colorado. In 1985, Wilma began teaching English, Science and History at Monte Vista Middle School. Wilma loved her students, and over the span of 25 years brought learning to life by hosting History Fair and dressing up as literary characters.
Wilma was always active in the community, a strong member of the Saguache Library Board and a member of the Saguache Museum Board. She also supported Wilbur with many Masonic community activities and was a member of the Eastern Star. She will be missed by her exercise class crew.
Wilma loved to travel and had a special affection for the coasts of Maine and Newfoundland, enjoying puffins, whales, lighthouses and moose. She loved to travel internationally as well and went to New Zealand multiple times and all across Europe.
One of Wilma’s biggest joys was spoiling her grandchildren, Amy Grace Lewis and David Ray Lewis. Wilma was the ‘rock’ of the family, carrying the conversations, providing the stories, keeping in contact with family across the nation, and she truly loved being around her family and friends.
