Wilma M Blood

Wilma M Blood, 98, of Traverse City passed away October 8, 2026.

Wilma was born in 1928 in Muskegon MI, the daughter of William Garber and Bernice Whitman Garber. She graduated from Muskegon High School and worked for the law office of Cyrus Poppen. In September 1950 she married William R Blood also of Muskegon. In October 1953 Bill and Wilma moved to Traverse City and became actively involved in the community. Wilma worked for Traverse City Area Public Schools for 22 years, 5 years as secretary at East Bay Elementary School and 17 years as bookkeeper for the Food Service Department, retiring in 1993.

During her children’s early years, Wilma was a Room Mother, Brownie Leader, Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother. Since 1953 the family were active members of Asbury United Methodist Church (later named Traverse Bay United Methodist) where both Wilma and Bill were Youth Leaders and Sunday School teachers. Wilma was also involved in Vacation Bible School, served on most of the church’s committees, was active in the United Methodist Women, Elisabeth Circle Bayside Extension, and was a choir member for many years. In 2025, when Traverse Bay United Methodist Church merged with Central United Methodist Church, Wilma was the oldest, as well as the longest, member of Traverse Bay United Methodist Church.

Wilma enjoyed many activities including family camping and boating, bowling with TCAPS co-workers, golf, and cross-country skiing.

After retirement Wilma volunteered in the Lifeline Program at Munson Medical Center, Hospice House, and Habitat for Humanity. She also took trips to Jerusalem, Greece, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and a cruise down the St Lawrence River.

Survivors are daughters, Karen (Douglas) Thompson, Susan (Rob) Sarber, and son Brian Blood all of Traverse City; granddaughter Michelle Sarber of South Portland, Maine; many nieces and nephews, and special neighbors Harold (Rusty) and Jan Havens, Ricky Lucas, and Jean Powell.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, husband William R Blood in 1974, sister Doris and husband Gary Olsen, in-laws Howard and Marjorie Mundt, Archie and Elva Blood, Charles Blood, and Geraldine and Robert Lambkin.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 1 pm with visitation beginning at 12 noon at Central United Methodist Church. After the service lunch will be provided and then Wilma will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Central United Methodist Church or Munson Hospice House.