Wilmyna B. Graves

Wilmyna Bonnes was born July 9, 1929 to a farming family in the small town of Ocheyedan, Iowa. Born 8th in a family of 9 siblings her family life was centered around the cycle of sow/grow/reap/rest that is typical in an agricultural community. Over the course of her early years she enjoyed the company of her family, friends from school and church and her horse, Beauty. She learned to hunt and ride, along with chores of animal care and tending the fields. She especially enjoyed playing games with her younger brother, Clarence. Through him she met one of his best friends, Fred (Fritz) Graves. They would play practical jokes on each other and eventually, Fritz got her attention (literally) with a BB gun to the backside. Wilmyna and Fred began dating in their late teens and married at the tender ages of 19 and 20. They started their family a year and half later with daughter, Lois. Shortly after, Mary Beth, Calvin and Jeff joined the ranks as their young family grew. In 1960, they uprooted their young ones to move to the city suburbs of Chicago where 2 more children, Delores and David were born. In the 1970’s they moved south and ended up in the suburbs of Atlanta. They were a formidable team as they managed a family business, helped found a new church and finished raising their children. After retiring in 1989, they were able to travel for several years, but their main focus was on their family and furthering God’s Kingdom. It was very clear that her greatest priorities included her faith in God, her husband, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Wilmyna was proud of all of us. One of her greatest joys in life was seeing the families grow. Wilmyna Bonnes Graves is survived by her husband of nearly 67 years, Fred Graves; her 6 children (spouses): Lois (Dennis) Ostermann, Mary Beth (Roy) Dockum, Calvin (Maria) Graves, Jeff Graves, Delores (Jeff) Gold, David Graves. Additionally she is survived by 12 grandchildren: Anna (Larry) Herring, Fred (Trish) Graves, Kent (Christin) Dockum, Beth (Matt) Hickey, Eric (Ariel) Gold, Bethany (Micah) Smith, Alex (Mandy) Gold, Evan Gold, David B. Graves, Corynne Ostermann, Jesse Ostermann and Aubrey Gold; and her 16 great grandchildren: Emily, Kyle and Joel Herring, Calvin and Trevor Graves, Will, Joshua and Whitley Dockum, Allison, Madeleine and Quinlyn Hickey, Rylin Gold, Gwen, Moses and Sunny Smith, and Louie Eliza Gold. Also, she is survived by her sister, Inez Hoftyzer and sister-in-law Everdeane Bonnes and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandson Justin Michael Gold; parents, Cornelius and Kate Bonnes; siblings, John (Gertrude) Bonnes, Ed (Gert) Bonnes, Doris (Joe) Wassenaar, Engelena (Gerrit) Riemersma, Catherine (John) Meurs, Cornelia (John) Post, Clarence Bonnes and brother in law Gerold Hoftyzer.

Wilmyna B. Graves

July 9, 1929 - November 6, 2016