Obituary of Wilma Audrey Keutzer

Wilma was born in Austin, Texas on May 11th, 1932 to Minnie and Walter Smith. At the time she lived in Hay's County, Texas. The family moved to Driftwood where they lived until Wilma was 4. Her brother, Warren was 6. They bought a small acreage outside of San Antonio. When Wilma was 14 they sold the place and headed to California, finding it too hot there they moved on to Oregon. They found a place to their liking up in the mountains from Deer Island, Oregon. Wilma went to school at Rainer High. Her father, brother, and mother found work on the Deer Island Stock Ranch. After Wilma finished her junior year of high school she went to work on the ranch too. She rode for the ranch for three years. She was assigned a big grey horse. He was a long way from fool proof but he knew cattle. He drug her, kicked her, stepped on her and even sat on her. He had broken three of the foreman's ribs but he was one good cow horse and she grew to love him. If there was a cow anywhere hiding in the brush he wouldn't stop until he had him out. Wilma graduated from St. Helen's High in 1949. She met Bob on March 24th 1948 He was then 23 years old. He had worked for the stock ranch since he was 16. They married on April 8th, 1950. Jack was born on Nov. 20, 1951 and they had built a house on the land that Bob bought with his service pay while in the army. It was just 4 rooms and a bath, there was no well, but to Wilma it was heaven. On Oct. 31, 1954 along came Bill, their family was complete. They moved to Canada in 1967 as the urge to pioneer had got the best of us. In Canada Wilma raised their boys, worked the ranch, worked at IGA, and as a custodian for School District 59. Jack and Bill gave them 6 wonderful grandchildren, as well as 8 beautiful great-grandchildren they pretty much became their lives. Grandma, you were truly an amazing person and touched so many lives, you will live on in our hearts and memories. Wilma was predeceased by her father, Walter, mother, Minnie, and her loving husband, Bob of 59 years. Memories presented by; Granddaughter Jody Bougerolle Wilma passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2010 in Lone Prairie, B.C. at the age of 77 years. A funeral service was held on Monday, January 25, at 2:00 pm at the Chetwynd Baptist Church, Pastor Bill Evans officiated. Wilma was laid to rest beside her husband Bob in the Tuscoola Mountain Cemetery. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Wilma to the Pine Valley Seniors Association Assisted Living Housing Fund.