Wilma Marie Gauthier

Wilma Marie Gauthier, 89, Rapid City, SD passed away Sunday, November 14, 2021.
Wilma Long was born December 14, 1931 in White River, SD to Wilmer and Catherine Long. She had an older sister and 2 younger brothers in their family.
In 1934, the family moved to Rapid City to an area in north Rapid that was called Little Norway. What a wonderful community! Every morning the ladies would have coffee together and the kids would play games. Three of the kids wrote a weekly newspaper and went around the neighborhood selling it for 2 cents. The kids also put on plays and would charge 1 cent to attend their performance!
Wilma was baptized and confirmed here at Trinity Lutheran Church. She graduated Rapid City High School in 1950 and married Leo Gauthier on June 18th that same year. Leo and Wilma were stationed in England, where he was a medic in the Air Force. The first of their children was born in England in 1951. They lived in England for 3 years, but were also stationed in Nevada, Korea for 2 years, Georgia, and finally Rapid City. In 1967, she was Airman's Wife of the Year – quite an honor!
Wilma worked as an IBM operator at U.S. Bank and later trained employees for wriggling on jewelry at Black Hills Gold Jewelry. Wriggling involves putting the frost coating and veins on the leaves. She has many hobbies including bowling, golfing, baking, sewing, decorating items on her embroidery machine, good friends and family.
Leo and Wilma were blessed with 7 children – Ronald (deceased at 8 months), Mark, Diane, twins Gerry and Jerry (deceased at age 25), Kevin and Linda. She now has 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and 1 great great-grandchild.
Her favorite hymn is "How Great Thou Art" and Psalm 23 is her favorite Bible passage. Over the years they were members at the base Chapel in Reno, Nevada, Lutheran Church in Valdosta, Georgia, and the base Chapel in Korea.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 21, 2021 from 3:00-4:00pm at Kirk Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 22, 2021 at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Wilbur Holz officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Family and friends may sign Wilma's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com