Most people can’t say they knew their great grandma, but on the 4th of July 11 kids got to spend a few days with theirs! Grace Wilma King, a resident of Vail, will turn 100 years old on 09-26-2018 but with 2 daughters, 5 grandsons with their spouses and 11 great-grandchildren scattered around the Midwest and Arizona, the logistics get difficult, especially once the school year starts, so a 4th of July/birthday celebration worked out great.
Wilma, as her friends know her, was born in Grundy County, Iowa on her grandparent’s farm and went on to become a teacher. Her first teaching job was in a one room school house equipped with a wood burning stove for heat, a chalkboard and kids of all ages from the rural area. That job brought in $10 a month!
Grace went on to teach US military children on base in Ludwigsburg, Germany. In 1962, she came back to the states and resumed teaching after a short break to get her master’s degree. She retired from teaching in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the early 1980’s and relocated to retire in Green Valley in 1983.
She lived in Green Valley until she was in her 80’s and needed more help due to macular degeneration and was declared legally blind. Once that need came along she moved in with her youngest daughter to the Tucson area. Last year her youngest daughter purchased a home in Vail, and she has happily been enjoying the new area.
Most of the 11 great grandkids met her for the first time and their great grandma Wilma was so thrilled to finally meet them! It’s a blessing this visit happened!
