It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Wilda Zippe on January 17, 2025, at the age of 90. She was "the woman of our lives," say her children, as Wilda's life was distinguished by her devotion to her family. Wilda's enthusiasm for keeping in touch with family and friends throughout her life was remarkable and her characteristic greeting cards and friendly phone calls and voicemails will be greatly missed by so many.

Wilda was a wonderful mother and grandmother who loved her family and friends dearly. Besides Wilda, her number one titles were wife, Mom, Grandma, "G.G," "Aunt Tootie," and sister. Her witty, "firecracker" personality will continue to bring smiles to the faces of those who knew her; and the care and kindness she always showed will continue to inspire us. She was a gifted storyteller, a good listener, possessed a keen sense of observation about people and an enormous capacity for empathy.

Throughout her life, Wilda was surrounded by the love of her close family. She spent considerable time with her children and grandchildren. In the past year, she was at the center of wonderful memories including 89th and 90th birthday celebrations fit for the queen she was.

Born on August 7, 1934, in Mediapolis, Iowa, Wilda was the daughter of Edward and Mamie Cluff Brammeier. She grew up in Mediapolis alongside her big brother Wayne, best friend Evelyn Peterson, and her special "sisters" Charleen and Charlotte Shaffer, twins with whom she had a cherished lifelong relationship. She enjoyed summers at her cousin Darlene Cluff's farm. She enjoyed a fun camaraderie with her Mediapolis High School Class of 1952: the trips, lunches, and their Town & Country Days parade float donning matching t-shirts were happy memories for her.

Wilda married the love of her life, Donald Dean Zippe, on Valentine's Day, 1954. They built a life together marked by love, hard work, support, and the active engagement of raising five children. Many outings on the Mississippi River and Sunday fish frys with the extended Zippe family made for lots of fun. Alongside her husband, she strived to be an involved parent in all aspects- including teaching, volunteering at school, coaching, helping with Boy and Girl Scouts, and supporting education. She was beyond proud that all five of her children succeeded in obtaining college degrees and degrees of higher education. She and Don enjoyed more than 50 years of togetherness on Earth before his passing in 2004. It brings us comfort to know she's back in her dancing partner's arms just in time for their anniversary.

Though initially working as a salesperson at the iconic Schramm's Department Store in Burlington, Iowa, Wilda soon found her purpose in working with children. Her first career (of which she was most proud) was stay-at-home mom, which included many positions, such as elementary school volunteer and PTA President, Snickerdoodle cookie baker, music lesson critic, homework cheerleader and fan at the baseball diamond. She helped organize monthly "coffee chats" with her dear friends/mom squad. Two years after her youngest daughter was born, she began a second career as a school bus driver for the Burlington Community School District, that, at the time, allowed Wilda to bring Debbie with her in a special seat fitted for the school bus. Wilda retired from the school district after sixteen years. During those years, she took on additional bus driving jobs, delivering high school sports teams to away games and summertime corn detasseling, to assist in her unwavering support of her children's dreams. Her "Bus Barn" circle of friends were like family and she treasured all the laughs and memories made in her workplace over the years. After retirement, Wilda naturally found her way back to working with children. Her work with Building Blocks Day Care was fulfilling and the beginning of another dear and lifelong friendship.

After her second retirement, Wilda left her beloved Iowa and became a resident of "Sun City Texas"(Georgetown), where she stayed busy being involved in the Iowa Club and Aggie Moms Club, visiting her grandkids' schools as well as cheering them on at numerous scouting and sports events, attending nearly every Georgetown Palace Theatre show, and getting in pool time at the Sun City Rec Center. Wilda loved to travel to visit family or go on sightseeing trips with friends. "Never met a stranger" is a phrase commonly used when remembering Wilda, as she was able to (as her granddaughters say) "pop a convo" with anyone.

Wilda is survived by her five children, Dr. Craig Zippe and his wife Karen of Turlock, CA; Kirk Zippe and his wife Shira of Georgetown, TX, Lori Ford and her husband Rollie of Georgetown, TX, Kent Zippe and his wife Lora of Laguna Niguel, CA, and Deborah (Debbie) Zippe and her husband Wilhelmus Geerts of Austin, TX. She adored her grandchildren; they were sunshine of her life: Ingrid Zippe, Brandon Zippe and his wife Melanie, Auggie Zippe, Garrett Ford and his wife Haley, Kyle Ford and his wife Allison, Dustin Ford, Travis Zippe, Dylan Zippe, Cody Zippe, Lena Geerts, Frances Geerts, and Ivy Geerts. She was proud as punch to be made a great-grandmother to Larkyn and Sloan Zippe (Brandon), and Charlotte and Daniel Ford (Kyle).

Wilda is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Mamie, her husband Donald, and her granddaughter Ines Zippe.

Wilda touched many lives. As Maya Angelou wrote,

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas, on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 2pm with a reception following until 5pm. The family welcomes you. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to any charity of your choice. A graveside service will be held at a later date; she will be buried with her beloved husband, Donald, at Edwards Cemetery in Oakville, Iowa.