Wilma Edith Steeve

Wilma Edith Steeve, born April 4, 1923 in a small town near Clarinda, Iowa, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2024 at Inland Christian Home in Ontario, California. For 101 years, Wilma lived a vibrant family, community, and faith-filled life and, while her talents and accomplishments were immeasurable, she devoted her life to serving the Lord and helping others.

Wilma and her twin brother were the youngest of five children. Wilma attended College Springs High School in Iowa. Along with her beauty, intelligence, and quick wit, Wilma was also known as an accomplished athlete and played on the women’s high school basketball team and competed in the Iowa Women’s Basketball State Tournament.

In 1941, while skating at a roller rink, Wilma met her soulmate, Elmer Steeve. On September 8, 1941, they were married and for 73 years they shared a beautiful and cherished partnership. Wilma devoted the early years of her marriage to raising their three daughters and she began her life’s work of service by volunteering at the Lutheran church. She also supported neighbors and the community by sharing the bounty of their crops and providing food for those in need. Wilma always found time to welcome others into her home, offering friendship, good food, and a great game of cards.

After 10 years, the family moved to California and, in 1984, Wilma and Elmer moved to the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Here, Wilma renewed her life-long passion of community service and volunteer work. She became an active member of the V.I.P. Club, which remains one of the largest senior citizen clubs in the valley. Wilma and Elmer worked to help raise funds for a new community-based senior center and, on May 21, 2005, a new Rancho Cucamonga Senior Center was open for business. Wilma served as V.I.P. Club President in 1991, 1997, 2005, and 2006. For many years, Wilma served on the Senior Advisory Committee, resigning in 2009, allowing her to devote more time as Chairperson to the West Valley Regional Counsel On Aging (RCA). Here, her efforts focused on reaching out to individuals with disabilities and home-bound seniors. In addition to her work with the RCA, every month Wilma designed, created, and auctioned off a “charity basket” of which the proceeds were donated to the senior hot-lunch program.

Throughout her lifetime, at church and in the community, Wilma continued her work of service. Her passionate and tireless dedication was far reaching and she was bestowed many local, state, and national honors and acknowledgements. She was also a talented artist, showcasing her skills and accomplishments through oil painting, crocheting, ceramics, floral arranging, interior decorating, needlepoint, and more. Her talents, capabilities, and energy were limitless.

At the time of her 100th birthday, Wilma was an active resident at Inland Christian Home and a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She also completed two 5k walks, which raised funds and paid tribute to a local police officer and his family and to the Chino Museum for Youth. It was Wilma’s greatest belief that a truly fulfilled life is not possible without a caring heart and faith in our Lord and Savior. That true joy is found in our ability to give and love. A devoted Christian, Willma exemplified a life of unwavering faith.

Wilma is survived by her daughter, Barbara Kirmsse; her son-in-law, Joe Pearson; grandchildren, James Calvi and his wife Robin, Kenneth Kirmsse and his wife Cindy, Melinda Colgrove and her husband Paul, Kristina Corkrum and her husband Eric, Chad Pearson and his wife Christen; ten great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; nieces and nephews; and a Goddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Henry Steeve; her daughters, Norma Calvi and Dana Pearson; her parents, Clyde Harrison Stevens and Alice Gertrude Martin Stevens; siblings, Everett Stevens, Thelma Viola Ridnour, Gartha Fredrickson, and twin brother Wilbur Stevens.

A viewing for Wilma will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Draper Mortuary, 811 North Mountain Ave., Ontario, CA 91762. A funeral service and celebration of Wilma’s life will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 610 North San Antonio Ave., Pomona, CA 91767 with a graveside service immediately following at Oakdale Memorial Park, 1401 South Grand Avenue, Glendora, CA 91740.

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, all are welcome and invited to attend a luncheon and reception at the home of Barbara Kirmsse, 8979 Appaloosa Court, Alta Loma 91737. For those who choose not to attend the graveside service, please know that Barbara’s home will be open beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. In our sorrow, we look forward to sharing fond memories and celebrating Wilma.

Wilma’s legacy of love, faith, and community service will be cherished and remembered by all who were blessed to share in her life. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered and held in our hearts.