Wilma Brower

WILMA MARGARET BROWER was born August 22, 1932 on a farm in Sioux County near Hull, Iowa to Gerrit and Albertha (DeWeerd) Van Wyhe. She was raised on the farm, where she helped with milking cows and caring for her nine siblings. She attended country school through the eighth grade and then continued to help her parents on the farm. While Wilma was window shopping with a girlfriend after church youth group, a young man in town, Vernon Brower, spotted her and wanted to know who she was. They were introduced and a lifetime of love followed. Vernon joined the military and after his basic training, the couple was united in marriage on May 26, 1953 at the Christian Reformed Church parsonage in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Wilma moved with Vernon to Louisiana until his time in the military was completed. The couple returned home to Northwest Iowa where they resided on Wilma's family farm west of Rock Rapids. They moved for a short time to Edgerton, Minnesota and then back to Rock Rapids on the farm. They moved to Luverne, Minnesota in 1962. Wilma was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne, where she participated in Ladies Circle and Bible Studies. She had a servant heart. Wilma and Vernon volunteered at the Luke Society and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Wilma loved her time raising their children and enjoyed family vacations at the Lake in Alexandria, MN. She was an excellent seamstress and worked at Rachel's Fabric Store. Later at Luverne Hospital she used her gifts as a dietary aid and cook. She retired in 1995. Highlights of her retirement included reading, gardening and traveling to Switzerland, Branson, Missouri, and Banff National Park. Her family says that she continued to work full-time as a grandmother. Many hours were spent praying for her grandchildren, singing to them in the rocking chair, reading stories, taking walks to the park, attending their events and sports games. She also showed her love by making each grandchild's favorite food. Wilma was so proud of her family and cherished time spent with them. Wilma passes along a legacy of her faith in Christ to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. On November 21, 2013, Wilma was ushered into God's presence at the age of 81 years, 2 months and 29 days.

Wilma is lovingly remembered by her husband of 60 years, Vernon Brower; her children, Bonnie Lingen of Hills, MN, Sandy Maxwell of Luverne, MN, Verlyn Brower and his wife Karla of Meridian, ID, Vance Brower and his wife Laurie of Sioux Falls, SD, and Rachele Rylaarsdam and her husband David of Grandville, MI; grandchildren, Vicky VanderWoude, Seth VanderWoude, Sherry Diller, Davita Farwick, Nicholas Brower, Erin Brown, Deidre Farwick, Eric Lammert, Holly Sikha, Jeremy Brower, Jonah Lingen, Josiah Brower, Alex Brower, Jocilan Lingen, Austin Maxwell, Andrew Rylaarsdam, Kate Rylaarsdam, Jasmine Lingen, and Simon Rylaarsdam; great-grandchildren, Jeya Sikha, Nora Diller, Benjamin Diller, Karis Sikha, Ian Lingen, Lucas Diller, and Kaitlyn Brown; her siblings, Albertha 'Buff' (Darrell) Gildemeister of Dell Rapids, SD, Jan (Don) Selles of Battle Creek, MI, Joyce (Sherm) Dornbush of Holland, MI, Will (Sharon) Van Wyhe of Surprise, AZ, Muriel (Bill) Plooster of Harrisburg, SD, and Marv (Lyn) Van Wyhe of Spirit Lake, IA; and other family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Jared Lingen; infant great-granddaughter, Cora Vander Woude; an infant brother, Willis Van Wyhe; two brothers, Elmer Van Wyhe and Gerrit Van Wyhe; and her sons-in-law, Curt Maxwell and Frank VanderWoude.

Memorials may be directed to the Luke's Society: 3409 S Gateway Blvd, Sioux Falls, SD 57106

A Reflection by Wilma's Family

Watching our mother, grandma, wife, sister, and friend battle so hard and still continue to decline has been a very difficult process. She would turn the corner and start to improve only to be met by another roadblock, even bigger than the one before. Perforated colon, blood clots, leg amputation, infections, atrial fib, further amputation and finally pneumonia. She remained determined to conquer them all. But, Mom would continue to decline a bit more with each new obstacle, until she would finally begin to question whether she would even survive.

Even through all the suffering, we have experienced many blessings from God. He sent His army of Christian supporters to uplift us with hope and compassion. There were cards, letters, pictures, emails, visits, phone calls, and many prayers. There were also caring doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff and her loving husband by her side sharing kind words and a gentle touch.

We were blessed by Mom's kind words and appreciation - sometimes words scratched on paper because the ventilator tube kept her from speaking. Throughout her hospitalization, mom experienced much joy from relationships. It was obvious to see Mom's face light up each time someone came to visit or called. Mom relished the sound of others reading her Scripture and loved it when family sang favorite hymns with her. She was also soothed by others combing her hair and just holding her hand while at her bedside. This was truly the best medicine for Mom! Near the end, even all of this was not enough to sustain her. The battle progressively took its toll on Mom and her entire support family. Finally we arrived at a place where it became clear that Mom was not going to recover. It seemed that God was telling us it was time to let Mom go and trust in Him to take her home. And, as wonderful as that promise rings, we still are burdened with the grief of losing someone so dear to us.

We love you, Mom, and we are finding assurance and hope in God's promises. The promises which you, as God's humble messenger have taught us to believe. You have finished well! Now rest in His peace.