Wilhelmina Gilmer

Wilhelmina Juliana Bernharda Bos Gilmer passed away on June 20, 2025, surrounded by family, at her home in Boulder, Colorado.

Wilhelmina had a warmth and generosity of spirit that was appreciated by all who met her. Her faith was deeply important to her and she lived every day with deep gratitude for the Lord's gifts. She loved to learn about others and her empathy made those around her feel supported and cherished. She nurtured these relationships and especially treasured time spent with family. Always open to new experiences, Wilhelmina was enthusiastic about adventures her children or friends proposed, whether that was driving through the night to view a full eclipse, joining an epic overnight sailing trip, attending her grandchildren's sporting events, or kayaking in the wilds of Alaska. She would respond with an immediate "oh, fun!" even if the plan involved multiple plane rides or not-quite adequate accommodations. She enjoyed spending time on the water, traveling, and visiting her home country of the Netherlands. She was beloved by her family and friends.

Wilhelmina was born on September 8, 1940, in Kampen, the Netherlands, the ninth of ten children born to Cornelia Teerink and Gerardus Bos. In response to the Nazi invasion four months earlier, her parents named her after the exiled Dutch royal family-Queen Wilhelmina, Princess Juliana, and Prince Bernhard-as an act of courage and patriotism.

After finishing her schooling and working for a year in London as an au pair to an American family, Wilhelmina embarked on a decommissioned troop ship bound for the United States to study nursing at the University of Virginia. She joined UVA's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship where she met George Gilmer, a shy Physics PhD student dazzled by her joyful and practical nature. They were married in the Netherlands in 1965 and celebrated 56 wonderful years together before his death in 2022.

Wilhelmina and George lived in Lexington, Virginia and Delft, the Netherlands before settling in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey for 30 years to raise their four children. Wilhelmina created a welcoming home for family, friends, and George's Bell Labs colleagues from around the world.

In 2001, Wilhelmina and George moved to Boulder to be closer to their grandchildren. Wilhelmina fell in love with the sunshine, mountain views, wildlife and friendly community. She became an active member of Grace Commons Church and built a strong network of friends there. She enjoyed participating in Community Bible Study and her exercise class. She cherished her Tuesday morning prayer group and Wednesday night Doves group and was generous with her time, volunteering with the church's Doorways English Program.

Wilhelmina will be missed dearly by her children, Julie (Mike) Scott, Hudson Gilmer (Catherine Curtis), Corina (John) Engdahl, and Hendrik Gilmer (Heather Hendy); her beloved grandchildren Emily (Luke), Catherine (Andrew), Saskia, Charlotte, George, Jack, Nathan, Jonathan, Graham, Avery; and her three great-grandchildren Henry, Peter and Juliet. She will also be greatly missed by her siblings Dineke and Carel Bos, her nieces and nephews, and her many friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Sunday, July 27th in the chapel at Grace Commons Church,1820 15th St., Boulder, followed by a reception. Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Commons Church. Wilhelmina requested that attendees consider wearing bright and cheerful colors to celebrate the wonderful life she was blessed to have.