Wilma Joyce (Rubash) Burnham |
| Posted 2022-12-14 by Sharla |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, 12/14/2022 ~ pg A-6 Wilma Joyce Burnham (Rubash) May 1, 1943 - Dec. 3, 2022 Dec 13, 2022 11:00 PM Wilma Joyce Burnham (Rubash), 79, of Woodland Park, Colo. passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 while surrounded by family. Wilma is survived by her husband of 58 years, Arvid Burnham. She is also survived by her daughters Lynette Olson (husband Dan) and Yvonne Goings (husband Sean), eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, brother Bobby Rubash (Sharon), sister Myrna Wyse (Karlin), and brother Jimmy Rubash. Wilma was predeceased by brother Billy Rubash and parents Arthur and Evelyn Rubash. Wilma was born on May 1, 1943 in Wickenburg, Ariz. to Arthur and Evelyn Rubash. After graduating from Wickenburg High School in 1961, she attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff earning a degree in Education with an emphasis in physical education. Wilma met Arvid during college and they started a romance that turned into 58 years of marriage. Their love story tells of commitment, compromise, joy, adventure, trial, and hope. Arvid and Wilma took on the world as they lived in Pensacola Fla., Long Beach, Calif., Colorado Springs, and finally settled in Woodland Park. They worked together to build a home, a business, and a family. Their unselfish love leaves a legacy of grace, compassion and aspiration. Wilma’s ability to love unconditionally supported not only a strong marriage, but grew a cohesive family. Wilma took great pride in being a wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. She taught her daughters how to live with grace and grit as they journeyed through life and built their own families. Wilma was strong, compassionate, loving, intuitive, caring, and brave. She made sure that her daughters understood the importance of all of those. Wilma’s bright blue eyes lit up when she was with her grandkids and great-grandkids. She took them on countless adventures, taught them to cook, play, compete, and love. Most importantly, she taught them the importance of family. Wilma positively influenced the lives of countless children through her 32 years in education. Twenty one of those years were spent teaching and coaching at Woodland Park Middle School where she empowered students to dream big, challenge themselves, become champions and never quit. Her colleagues remember her as kind, funny, intelligent, strong, and innovative. Former students share that Mrs. Burnham was the best teacher they ever had. She listened to them, held them accountable, played with them, and above all, loved them. Wilma earned a Master’s degree while teaching at WPMS and catapulted the physical education department into the future with her newly acquired knowledge. Her legacy lives on through everyone she influenced at Woodland Park School District. Wilma welcomed all into her home and her heart. She was always ready with a meal, a story, a joke or a good piece of advice. She led her life with joy, kindness, love and humor. She loved to dance, laugh, cook, and was always up to hosting a big event. Her life left an impact that positively influenced our entire community. Her legacy of kindness and strength will live on through the many lives she touched. Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Woodland Park Community Church. Viewing at 12:15 p.m. and the service will begin at 1 p.m.. There will be a private family burial on Monday, Dec. 19. Wilma will be laid to rest at Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, and as a way to continue to support the children of Teller County, please make donations to The Ute Pass Kiwanis Club, PO Box 1020, Woodland Park, CO 80866. To share a message or story, please visit www.MountainMemorialFH.com. See Also: Find A Grave |
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