Beatrice "Bea" Wilde

There are many people who spend their lives building up a stockpile of treasures on earth, but then there are those like Beatrice Wilde whose main focus was on storing up treasures in heaven. In fact, it was loving others that was her primary focus in her daily life. There was nothing of greater value to Bea than caring for the needs of her husband and children as she considered doing so to be her highest calling and her greatest blessing. With her abiding faith as her constant companion, Bea was a steady presence in her church, serving others as an outpouring of a heart that knew no bounds. Those who knew Bea knew that the sun rose and set with the grandchildren who will carry on her legacy of compassion, generosity, and unconditional love. The year 1917 was part of a decade of great change in America as we were struggling with issues such as child labor laws, unsafe working conditions, and equal rights for women. We became the most highly industrialized country during this time with advancements such as the mass production of automobiles blazing a trail of prosperity for many American families. It was during this very exciting time that William and Esther (Leaf) Greene welcomed their daughter, Beatrice, into their hearts and home on July 2, 1917. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Bea was one of seven children in her family including three brothers and three sisters. It was during Beas formative years that she witnessed firsthand our nations prosperity during the twenties give way to the hardships of the thirties as the Great Depression blanketed our nation and much of the world throughout the thirties. The youth of this generation often did not complete their formal education all the way through high school as they were needed in the workplace, on their family farms, or helping in the home. Bea was one who was able to attend school, however, and it was in high school that she met the young man with whom she would create the family she cherished. His name was Arthur Wilde and after dating for a time, Bea and Arthur became husband and wife on July 2, 1936, when she was just 19. Bea completely embraced her roles as a wife and homemaker, and it wasnt too long before she was overjoyed to give birth to their first child, a son they named James, in 1937. Over the following 25 years, Bea and Arthur were blessed with four daughters who brought some sugar and spice into their lives as only girls can. Their youngest daughter, Kris, was a 25th wedding anniversary present for Bea and Arthur of the greatest kind. With siblings who were so much older than her, Kris was raised right alongside her nieces and nephews who were the same age as she was. Bea would often babysit for her grandchildren and help out in her childrens lives in any way she could. In addition to caring for her family, Beas church, Wolf Lake United Methodist Church, was an integral part of her life. She was an essential part of her church throughout her entire life, teaching Sunday school for many, many years. Even after she entered back into the busy life of toddlerhood after Kris was born, Bea was still helping out at church in a variety of ways. She often made meals for those in her church family who were in need, and she also made meals for church for many of their gatherings. There were numerous ways in which Bea used the gifts she was given to nurture others. She was a fabulous baker who made the best pastries and pies. Bea didnt make just any ordinary apple pie either. She had bushels and bushels of apples available to make countless oversized pies that she actually baked in big cake pans rather than in the traditional pie plates. Bea also was very crafty and loved to knit and crochet as well. Later in her life, Beas family continued to be her passion. She loved being a grandmother and she always made it clear that if her grandchildren needed anything at all, Bea would drop whatever she was doing in order to help them in any way she could. Kriss husband could always tell when Bea came to visit during the winter months because she always left behind a full-size tire imprint in the snow bank along the driveway! Beatrice Wilde was an extraordinary woman with a special place in her heart for little kids. She possessed a vibrant faith that was not only a shelter from the storms of life, but also the melody that made her heart soar. Bea treasured the gifts of both her family and her church home, and she lived her life to reach others with her tender touch. She leaves behind a beautifully woven tapestry of memories that are a reflection of a life well lived. Bea will be dearly missed and warmly remembered. Beatrice L. "Bea" Wilde died Friday, August 13, 2010. Beas family includes her son, James (Florence) Wilde; daughters, Karen Broton, Barbara Vandonkelaar, Kristine (Charles) Herr Jr.; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Elwin Drent. Bea was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur in 1988; daughter, Judith Smith; 2 brothers; 3 sisters. A service will be held on Friday, August 20, 2010, 12:00 p.m. at Wolf Lake United Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow. Interment at Egelston Township Cemetery. Visit with Beas family and friends on Thursday, 4-7 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Muskegon location Muskegon, MI, and Friday, 1 hour prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Wolf Lake UMC.