Wilhelmine "Wilma" Savola

Escanaba / Trenary

Wilhelmine “Wilma” Savola, age 87, of Escanaba and formerly of Trenary came face to face with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025 under the loving care of her husband, LakeHouse staff, and UPHS – Hospice in Escanaba. She was born in Köln, Germany on December 24, 1937 to Joseph and Maria (Jahtzen) Esser. Wilma grew up fast during the turmoil of WWII and post WWII in Germany and went to work as a child. She married James R. Savola on August 20, 1965 and moved to the United States at the age of twenty-eight. Wilma earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from NMU. She taught German and Spanish in the Milwaukee area schools and she worked as a substitute teacher in Eben, Rock, and Gwinn. Wilma loved the Lord and was ordained Pastor in the Assembly of God Church and was a lifelong elder of the New Life Assembly Church. She enjoyed rewriting the Bible longhand in both German and Spanish. It is hard to put into words the impact that Wilma made in the lives of others. She touched the lives of so many people throughout the world living the military life with her beloved husband, Jim, and through her missionary work.

Wilma is survived by her husband of nearly sixty years – Jim Savola; son – Geoffrey Savola of Kentucky; one grandson; three granddaughters; and numerous in-laws and nieces and nephews on the Savola side of the family. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Peter Tribbels, two brothers, and four sisters.

Services will be held in Escanaba and in Munising. On Monday, July 28, 2025 visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the New Life Church (2005 8th Ave. South, Escanaba, MI 49829) and her funeral service will begin at noon with Pastor Jason Janich officiating. On Tuesday, July 29, 2025 visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Bowerman Funeral Home (302 E. Superior Street, Munising, MI 49862) and her funeral service will begin at noon. Interment will follow at the Mathias Township Cemetery in Trenary.