Wilma Rachel Wyant

Wilma Rachel Wyant, 91, passed peacefully into her Savior’s arms at her home with her daughter, Patty, at her bedside on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, in Lincoln.

Services were held on Thursday at Bismarck Community Church, with Rev. Al Schut and Rev. Ken Austin officiating. Burial was at Mandan Union Cemetery.

The daughter of Reinert and Anna (Bunke) Boe, Wilma was born on March 16, 1918, in Glendo, S.D., and grew up on the family farmstead in Ralph, S.D., near Hettinger. 

Wilma married Melvin Kvanvig and was left a widow after just a couple years of marriage. While working at Rexall Drug in Hettinger, she met her future husband, Glen Wyant. They married on Nov. 11, 1948, and were looking forward to celebrating 50 years of marriage when Glen passed away in January 1998.

A kind and gentle person, she proved herself a capable woman in many respects as she worked in a variety of occupations. She was a people person, with a special heart for children, caring for them in her homes in Bowman and Dickinson. Later in life, she was a foster-grandparent in the Bismarck school system. Glen and Wilma owned Glen’s Variety Store in Elgin in the 50s and a store in Mandan in the late 80s. 

Wilma also carried a deep love and respect for words; especially the Bible. When she was younger, she wrote and published many short stories and poems as “Just Trixie.” As life continued, so did her writings. Wilma had a wonderful collection of poems she shared with family and close friends. Wilma enjoyed doing word puzzles and playing “Scrabble.” Because of her enjoyment and skill at these hobbies, she was dubbed “the Scrabble Queen,” a title she seemed to relish.

Wilma will always be remembered for her baking. As a young lady while working for a family in Hettinger, she had the privilege of cooking and serving a meal for Governor Moses. On cold winter days her children were greeted with the scent of fresh homemade baked bread or a pot of her homemade noodle soup. She made good use of her apples from her apple tree in Bismarck, making applesauce and apple pies to share with many. The coffee was always on at Wilma’s.

Wilma is survived by her five children, Sharon (Gene) Nayes, Fargo, Patricia (Dennis) Serafen, Lincoln, Mark, Rockville, MD, Susan (Jeff) Beehler, Mandan, and Dee Dee (Jon) Austin, Bismarck; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Kusztyb, Steven Holzer, Adrian Serafen, Geoffrey Nelson, Amy (Chad) Zander, Chad Biegler, Casey Schulz, Chandra Beehler, Jon (Heather) Austin, Alina Austin (Dan) Eckman, Maria (Derek) Frame, Mark (Candie), Brad (Andrea), and Randy (Miriam) Nayes; eight great-grandchildren, Samara and Alexandra Kusztyb, Jaden Austin, Serenity Harr, Tanner, Mallory, Brayden, and Abigail Nayes; her sister, Leona Sieler, Ellendale; and her brother, Elvin Boe, Goodrich.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Melvin Kvanvig and Glen Wyant; infant son, David; brother, Harold; and a special nephew, Edwin Wyant.

Wilma’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Pat Wyant, Tina Yoder, Nurse Valerie Peterson; caregivers, Evie Klemetson and Adrian Serafen for their loving care of their precious mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Also, they would like to extend their love and thanks to all the friends and family who have shown their love, care, and support toward Wilma and her family.

Anyone who wishes to express their feelings about Wilma or to relate an experience with her can mail their cards or letters to #1 Santee Road, Lincoln, ND 58504, or go to www.parkwayfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.