Minnie Lee Wilder's Obituary
A precious one from us has gone,
a voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home
which never can be filled,
And after a lonely heartache,
and many a silent tear,
We’ll always have a beautiful memory
of one we loved so dear.
Minnie Wilder was an extraordinary woman who went above and beyond for everyone she met. Kindhearted and spiritual – guided by her faith – she was a phenomenal presence in our lives. She loved to sing, go fishing, and attend church, always staying active and involved. Minnie welcomed people exactly as they were and was the first to lend a hand to anyone in need. Above all, she was devoted to her family. To us, she was more than a grandmother – she was a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and a steady, loving pillar for us all.
She is survived by her brother, Andrew Collins of Waterloo, Iowa; her kids, Ray Graves of California, Patricia Graves of Minnesota, and Glenn Wilder and Bessie Wilder, both of Waterloo; 16 grandchildren, Damareus Sykes, Dontavius Sykes, Marcus Moore, Rashawn Graves, Shavon Graves, Cortney Wilder, Martez Wilder, Latoya Martin, Marquez Martin, Shawan Wilder, Marhia Martin, Pernell Wilder, Jamese Wilder, Paris Wilder, Blake Wilder, and Raelle Wilder; and a host of 35 great-grandchildren.
Minnie Wilder was preceded in death by her mother, Lovie Mae Collins; her father, A.J. Jack Collins; her sister, Bessie Ellis; and her daughters, Lynette Graves and Latonya Martin.
If tears could build a stairway,
and memories were a lane,
We would walk right up to heaven
and bring you back again.
Our hearts still ache in sadness
and secret tears still flow.
What it means to lose you
no one would ever know.
by Paris Wilder
The Sanders Service
What’s your fondest memory of Minnie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Minnie?
Share a story where Minnie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Minnie you’ll never forget.
How did Minnie make you smile?
