Wilda Lynne (Arthur) Rozyla, 92

Wilda Lynne (Arthur) Rozyla passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with family members by her side.

Wilda was born Dec. 23, 1923, in Rose City, Mich., to Frank and Mildred (Alderton) Arthur. The family moved throughout Michigan and Wilda attended schools in the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan, graduating from Stambaugh High School.

In 1944, Wilda joined the U.S. Navy WAVES serving from 1944-1946 with the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, D.C. Honorably discharged, Wilda continued in the Reserves while she attended Central Michigan College of Education (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

At Central Michigan she also met the love of her life, Leo H. Rozyla. Leo was the pitcher for the Central Michigan baseball team and she has shared many fond memories of baseball games throughout their college years. They were married, Sept. 30, 1949, and upon graduation, Leo was signed with the Yankee Farm Club, taking the young couple to Burlington, Vt., and throughout the Eastern states.

Eventually they returned to a “normal” life, moving to Flint, Mich., where Leo accepted a teaching position and they began their family. As the family grew, Leo accepted a position with General Motors in Saginaw, Mich., where they made their home for the rest of their married lives.

When the children were young, Wilda was a stay at home mom. She worked part time in real estate, as a substitute teacher in the Saginaw School District and as an English teacher for remedial English at Delta College. Her passion was teaching high school languages and when all the kids were in school, Wilda accepted a full-time position with the Saginaw Township School District teaching French, Spanish, Latin and English. French and Spanish were the most enjoyable for her because “it was an elective and the kids were excited to be there.” She chaperoned many trips to Paris, and quite a few of her students have shared their fond memories of those trips. During this time she continued her education and in 1977 graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan.

Wilda led by example, her priorities were always God and family. She was the mom who always had a listening ear for the neighborhood kids, and throughout the years it wasn’t uncommon to find a teenager with disagreements at home, staying at the Rozyla house. It was a strict environment, but a loving respite for those in need. Three exchange students stayed with the family throughout the ’70s. Mia DeSmet Vandesande and Paul DeSmet still call her mom. Mom attended their weddings, vacations and welcomed them home each time they visited.

Wilda was an active member of First United Methodist Church from 1952 through 2000. She sang in the choir for more than 50 years, served on many boards and made sure her family was actively engaged as well. She was involved in numerous volunteer organizations, including PTAs and classroom volunteering for her children’s schools, alumni associations for both Central Michigan University and University of Michigan, teachers organizations and had a stint as President of the Saginaw Women’s Garden Club.

Leo predeceased her Dec. 18, 1996. They lost their son, Scott Arthur, at the age of 6 on Jan. 1, 1962. She follows her parents, and her sister, Donna and her special niece, Jodi Burrus to her reward. She is survived by daughters Cynthia Rozyla (Michael Cooper) of Hayden, Idaho, Cheryl Rozyla (Kwame Kyei) of Columbus, Ohio; and her son, Brian Rozyla (Robin Davis) of Hailey, Idaho. She leaves her grandchildren Deire (Jeffrey) Piotrowski, Dilan

McCliggott, Logan McCliggott, Delaney Rozyla, Abenaa Rozyla Kyei and Cole Rozyla. She was a proud great-grandma to Aleigh, Tucker, Mia and Brooklynn, She is also survived by her sister, Nancy McKim in East Lansing; many very special nieces and nephews; longtime friends and Missy Fargher, her very special friend who provided many hours of companionship and loving care for the past three years.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at First United Methodist Church on Gratiot Road in Saginaw. Burial is next to Leo and Scott at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Please plan to join the family for a luncheon at the church following.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of North Idaho (www.honi.org) or OnSite For Seniors (onsite4seniors.org).