Wilma Florene (Herd) Keyser

Wilma Florene Keyser (Herd) went to her new heavenly home on February 15th, 2024.  Wilma was a faithful daughter, sister, mother, and wife.  She brought joy to her friends and family.  Wilma had a deep faith in Jesus as The Way, The Truth, and The Life and she shared it with all around her.  Her belief in Jesus as her personal Savior flowed into the lives of her family and all she met.

Wilma was born March 18, 1940, in Monarch, OK to Ruby & Vernon Herd.  Wilma, her older sister Marilyn and younger brother Raymond were lifelong friends.  Wilma grew up in Missouri and Idaho.  She graduated high school in Filer, ID and attended business college in Twin Falls, ID.                    

Wilma married Joseph Keyser (1934-2015) in Filer Baptist Church on June 30, 1961.  The couple had two sons, Bryan & Timothy. The family moved to Nampa where Wilma lived for 53 years.  She worked for over 30 years at the Idaho State School & Hospital.   

Wilma is survived by brother Raymond Herd of Twin Falls, ID, eldest son Bryan of Nampa, ID and son Timothy & wife Amy (Roberts)in Billings, MT, and her two grandsons, Samuel & Jeremiah Keyser also of Billings, MT.   The extended family abounds, and Wilma knew all about the majority of them as she loved keeping up with family.

Wilma loved okra, fried green tomatoes, and tamales.  She was an avid reader of many genres and piles of books were found all over the house.  Family lore tells how Wilma’s combined reading with her love of fishing.  Her simultaneous “fish while you read” technique brought in more fish than the rest of the family together. She loved to camp in the Sawtooth Mountains with family & friends, she spent countless hours “puttering” in her vegetable & flower garden, then would cook and can up a storm with the produce. Tim & Amy carry on this love of flowers and vegetable gardening.

Her sons and grandsons were the highlight of her life, she poured love into the 4 of them in ways beyond counting.  Her desire was for them to love and follow Jesus and for Him to guide their lives.  Her 4 men treasure the memories and see the sacrifice and joy she put into their lives.

The 3 Herd siblings spent countless hours on the phone and were great friends, the telephone company was grateful for them as their calls kept them in business in the days before unlimited rates.   She always had animals in the house and yard-from cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, who knows what else.  Neighborhood cats would suddenly appear and plop in her lap when she sat in the back yard.  Her special companion was Lasso Apso Buddy, who has been a companion for 14 years.

The family know they will see Wilma one day-rejoicing at the throne of King Jesus.  She drew great strength from her church family at Calvary Church on Almond Street, they streamed a Sunday Service so she could be part of the worship.  Jim & Pam Jackson and Shawna Strasburg were special church friends that cared for and helped Wilma in her daily life for many years.

Nampa Funeral Chapel is hosting Viewing on March 7 from 5-7pm and the Funeral Service is March 8th, 11 am at Calvary Nampa 417 Almond Street, Nampa, ID 83686.   Flowers may be sent to Funeral home for services.

Memorial gift can be made to the Mission Fund Calvary Church at https://calvarynampa.churchcenter.com/giving or for Service Dog Training fund (for niece Shanna) at https://gofund.me/e5aba21b

Cards/flowers may be sent to Tim & Amy Keyser, 1411 Sourdough Lane, Apartment 1, Billings, MT 59105. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wilma Florene (Herd) Keyser, please visit our floral store.