Guelda Chism

Chism, Guelda, went to be with her Lord on August 11, 2018. Born in Great Bend, KS on January 22, 1921 to William P and Florence Schultz, she lived a full and abundant life. After spending her childhood years in Central KS towns, she moved to Oklahoma City, OK where at the age of thirteen she met her future husband Jack D Chism Sr. They enjoyed frequent Rainbow Girls/DeMolay dances together and continued their love of dancing throughout their life together. Both eventually entered Oklahoma University, but Guelda stayed only a semester before moving to Wichita with her parents. Jack and Guelda married on December 27, 1941, three weeks after Pearl Harbor and shortly before Jack activated into an Army Engineer Combat Batallion. Guelda was thrilled to be Jack’s wife and followed him for short stays at training camps across the US before returning to Wichita when he deployed to Europe to fight in DDay on Omaha Beach and across the European Theatre. While Jack was overseas, Guelda gave birth to their son, Jack Donald Chism Jr. Daughters Marilyn and Becky joined the family later. Faith, family and friends sustained Guelda throughout the war and throughout her entire life. She joined Phi Beta Psi, a social/philanthropic sorority during the war where she made many dear lifelong friends. When Jack returned, they settled into post-war neighborhoods where these lifelong friendships were further solidified. Community was defined by neighborhood driveway dances, shared watermelon feeds, 8mm kids’ movies on the lawn, outdoor play till dark for the children, picnics, and multi-family camping vacations to various KS lakes. Guelda loved cooking, sewing, and caring for her family and was a wonderful example of how to do so unselfishly and most often with laughter. She volunteered often for committees at Grace Presbyterian Church where she was a member for seventy years and an active Clipper Club and Best Years member. Two of her favorite roles were hosting all of the church’s wedding receptions for many years as well as planning and coordinating Grace’s churchwide Christmas decorations. Her creative interests were reflected in frequent “craft projects” produced for the many other organizations as well. In support of her community and her children, Guelda served as a Girl Scout Leader, Block Mother, PTA President, President of Phi Beta Psi, and President of C.P.A. Wives. She participated actively in 20th Century Club, Cornelias, Centsibles, and Birthday Club. She was an accomplished seamstress who made beautiful clothing, costumes for Halloween and dance recitals, and wedding gowns for both daughters’ weddings. Later in life, Guelda returned to her first creative passion for oil and watercolor painting. She was an accomplished artist and member of Kansas Art Guild and Life Ventures in her later life. Guelda loved learning about new people, places, and things. As a charter members of Friendship Force Wichita, Jack and Guelda enjoyed hosting people from other countries in their home as well as traveling to stay with families in Columbia and Thailand. They loved camping with Wiki-ups as well as traveling the US in their RV with Becky as #1 navigator. Guelda was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, her brother William P. Schultz, Jr. and her sister, LaVerna Huffman. She is survived by her children Jack Donald Chism, Jr. (Gwenn) of Wichita, Marilyn Chism Larkin (Bob Matzen) of Littleton, Colorado and Rebecca Chism Miller (Kevin) of Wichita. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren as well as nieces who will miss her dearly. Her family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care she received at Andover Court Assisted Living Center and through Interim Hospice. Memorials in Guelda’s memory may be made to either the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, 360 Lexington, Wichita, KS 67218 or Grace Presbyterian Church, 5005 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218. Funeral Service, 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, at Grace Presbyterian Church. Share condolences and view extended obituary at www.CozineMemorial.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.