Wilma Lee Camren

Wilma was born on February 9, 1931, to Lela and Russell Wright of Latham, Kansas. Her life started out rather difficult with the Depression and her parents divorcing at the age of two. Her mother had to work full time and remarried several years later having a son, Jack, and daughter, Sheryl, that Wilma helped take care of, as well as working at Walgreens and going to school. Wilma met Ray Camren in Salina, Kansas, when he was stationed at Smokey Hill AFB, later renamed Schilling AFB. They fell in love and married on March 21, 1948. They were blessed with three children, Ron in 1949, Ginger, four years later, and Rick, eight years later. Ray got out of the military after World War II and started working for the Union Pacific Railroad. For five years, they lived in a UP Railroad section house in Union, Colorado. It was difficult living. The house had a coal stove for heat and one for cooking, a pump for water, and an outhouse. There were 1000’s of bees living under the house that were impossible to get rid of. Going outside was a constant hazard. Washing and hanging up clothes was usually a challenge, not only because of bee stings but snakes and the wind blowing coal dust all over the laundry hanging up, it made it necessary to rewash the black dust out again. In 1958, they gratefully got transferred back to Salina, Kansas. They lived in Salina until 1985 with a lot of relatives living close by and many wonderful family dinners and fun. The Railroad transferred them to Denver, Colorado in 1973 where Wilma worked for Edison Brothers Shoe Company as their Regional Secretary. They retired in 1986 and moved to Grand Junction. Wilma was truly happy and content in their new town. She quickly became the Welcome Wagon greeter for the entire housing area, taking newcomers a gift basket for several years. She loved her First United Methodist Church, volunteering in many ways as well as active on the Prayer Calling list and Stephen Ministry for many years. She enjoyed volunteering at the Blood Bank, RVing, 4 wheeling, crafting, sewing, and painting. Wilma had a talent for always smiling and greeting people. Several neighbors became as close as family to her and Ray. She cherished all her friends.

Wilma is survived by her husband of almost 74 years, Ray. They helped each other around the house, ate together, and vacationed together. Throughout each season of their lives, they cared for each other, and annoyed and forgave each other with love. She is also survived by her daughter, Ginger Waite of Olympia, Washington; her son, Rick (Linda) Camren of Ft. Lupton, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Lynn Camren of San Antonio, Texas; 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Sheryl Alderson of Olathe, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her oldest son, Ron Camren; her brother, Jack (Linda) Brown; and her son-in-law, Brad Waite.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Camren family.