Obituary of Wilma Rose Switzer

Wilma Rose Switzer (nee Bell) passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 25, 2023 after a long battle with lung cancer at the age of 77 years. She was predeceased by her infant son Wade; father William Cleveland Bell; mother Rose Windsor; and step-father George Windsor. Wilma is survived by her loving husband Allan Switzer; children Trina (Darren), Shad (Leslie) and Leah. Wilma’s pride and joy were her seven granddaughters Jadyn (Triston), Jasmine, Taryn, Kaia, Avery, Rayna and Summer, great-granddaughter Nora and she was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Elinor.  Wilma is also survived by her sister Barb (Ray) Knowles; estranged brother Bill Bell; Switzer in-laws Lawrence (Jan), Linda (Don), Donna, Joan, Barry and Karen (Dale), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Wilma was born on November 18, 1945 in Brandon, MB.  After graduation she worked at SaskTel as a switchboard operator for nine years. Wilma and Al met in Moose Jaw in 1967 and married on October 26, 1968. They lived in Saskatoon and Regina before settling in Pilot Butte where they raised their family.  After the kids graduated high school, they made the move to Regina Beach where they have resided for the last 26 years. Wilma was very active in the community volunteering as a Brownie leader, organizing the rink canteen, and coaching ringette. Wilma returned to work in 1984 when she agreed to temporarily help Al in the RM Construction office. She worked there until they sold the business in 2006. The RM Construction crew always held a special place in Wilma’s heart and were often a source of humour and frustration. Wilma wasn’t ready for retirement so she went to work in the office for Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association until she retired in 2016. She continued to do bookkeeping work from home and was always happy to babysit her granddaughters any chance she got. Wilma had a deep love of gardening and watching sports, her favorites were figure skating, curling, and of course the Roughriders. Wilma showed us all just how determined and courageous she was when she received her lung cancer diagnosis in April of 2016.  She never stopped fighting.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the Regina Beach Cemetery.  A Celebration of Wilma’s Life with fellowship to follow will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the South Shore Recreation Centre (South Shore School), 1515-7th Avenue, Regina Beach, SK.  Donations in Wilma’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.