Faye E Wild

Faye Etta Wild of Lodi passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at the age of 97. Mrs. Wild was born on Easter Sunday, April 3, 1915, in Rush, Colorado, the daughter of Lessie and Ivan Herbert. She was one of 13 children. Faye survived polio at the age of seven creating a "can do spirit" as she fought to walk again. This "can do spirit" persisted throughout her lifetime. She graduated from the State Teachers College of Emporia, Kansas before marrying Ernest Wild on June 16, 1935, in Potwin, Kansas. Faye moved with her husband and family to Fresno, California in 1948.

"Making a difference for good" was a focus for Faye throughout her lifetime. She was an active volunteer in the community serving as president of the Fresno State College Faculty Wives and as Director of the Girl Scout Camp at Dinkey Creek, Ca.. She was an active member of the College Community Congregational Church and worked at the College Religious Center at California State University, Fresno (CSUF) for a number of years serving the best pies and soups around. Her apple pies and lemon pies were always in great demand. In later years her grandchildren begged for her cinammon rolls, sweet pickles and strawberry jam. Her home in Fresno served as a voting precinct for many years.

Her hobbies included reading, traveling, entertaining, politics, bridge, quilting, refinishing oak furniture, and knitting. Her greatest love was sharing in the lives of her family.

Following her husband's retirement in 1976 as a Professor and coach at Cal State University, Fresno, they moved to Twain Harte, Ca., living there until 1988. At that time she and her husband returned to Fresno for eight years until the death of their precious daughter Cathlynn Gates at which time Faye and Ernie moved to be near their daughter Christy Reinold of Lodi and their son Walter Wild of Rocklin. After moving to Lodi she joined the First United Methodist Church, volunteering in the office and participating in Warm Hearts and the Gift of Love Knitters groups. She also volunteered to read to third grade students at Lakewood Elementary School.

She was preceded in death by Ernest Wild, her beloved husband of 67 years in 2002; eight brothers; three 3 sisters; and her youngest daughter, Cathlynn Gates in 1993.

Faye is survived by her daughter, Christy Reinold of Lodi; her son, Walter Wild and his wife Gale of Rocklin; four grandchildren, James Gates and his wife Carrie of La Crescenta, Ca., Elizabeth Broucqsault and her husband Christian of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Rebecca Marson and her husband Joshua of Carmel, In., and Rochelle Zenteno and her husband Eddie of Mt. Pleasant, SC. She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, Kathlynn and Ashley Gates, Owen, Emma, and Charles Broucqsault, Justin and Ellen Zenteno and William and Stella Marson; her youngest sister, Marie Foster of Empire, Ca. also survives her. Numerous nieces and nephews will also feel the loss of this amazing woman. She will be honored and missed by others whose lives she touched.

A Graveside Service will be held at the Clovis Cemetery, 305 N. Villa, Clovis, California, on Monday, April 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the California State University Women's Club (formerly Fresno State College Faculty Wives) Scholarship Fund, c/o Genie Montanye, Scholarship Chair, 5760 N. Callisch Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93710. This scholarship fund was initiated under Faye's leadership in the 1950's. Thousands of dollars in scholarships have been utilized by deserving students since that time. Donations are also appreciated to the charity of the donor's choice.

Mrs. Wild's family extends sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff of Farimont Rehabilitation Hospital in Lodi for providing loving care to to Faye in the last few months.