Ilse Emma Luise Schumann Wightman

Ilse’s children wanted to share both versions of their mother’s obituary:

Our loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and friend to many suddenly and peacefully passed away 11-2-2024 at St. Marks Hospital to return to the Fatherland.

Born 1-30-1934 in Berlin Germany to Friedrich Wilhelm Schumann and Erna Minna Martha Tiews. Ilse emigrated to Utah alone from Berlin in 1953 and lived in the Beehive Sorority House. In 1954 Ilse married Ronald Dean Wightman (the young man that she met while he was on a mission to Berlin) in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. A union that lasted 63 years. Together they begat 5 children Ron (Venice,CA) IlseRae Baldwin (Salt Lake City) Kevin (deceased) Richard,Trudi (Gilbert, AZ) Michael, Dee (Bristow, Virginia). Ilse had 13 grandchildren along with 23 great grandchildren.

Ilse was an active member of the LDS church and held many positions. Ilse and Ron also did a tour of duty welcoming and guiding guests on Temple Square. Ilse's specialty was giving the German tours. Ilse and Ron loved traveling the world and entertaining family and friends at their home. Ilse also loved the outdoors, she skied, volunteered during the 2002 Olympics, played tennis and enjoyed long walks, along with visiting the local canyons.

Ilse is preceded in death by her parents, sister Trauchen, brother Gerhardt. Her loving husband Ronald, son Kevin and granddaughter Ashlie.

Ilse will be sorely missed but she leaves her family with her rich German traditions and heritage. But not her recipe for fudge.

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Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024. Ilse was born on January 30, 1934, to Friedrich and Erna Tiews Schumann in Berlin, Germany. Her childhood was marked by the challenges of growing up during World War II, yet she always found peace and joy in life.

At the age of 17, Ilse joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, acquired a sponsor, emigrated to the United States, and eventually became a U.S. citizen. She resided in the Beehive House in Salt Lake City, Utah, then a dormitory for young women. Ilse met a handsome young man named Ronald on a blind date, only to realize that they had met a few years earlier in Berlin while he served as a missionary in Germany. They married a year later and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, blessed with five loving children.

Ilse cherished travel and adventure with Ron. She stayed busy and could run circles around everyone, embracing activities like tennis, alpine skiing, long walks, and Sunday drives through Utah’s scenic mountains. She worked as a teaching aide in Salt Lake City elementary schools, where she once humorously found herself teaching German instead of English.

Ilse’s spirit of service touched many lives. An active member of the Church, she enjoyed various ward and stake callings and served for years as a tour guide on Temple Square, often giving tours in German. She later gave tours at the Church Office Building and the Relief Society Building. Through her church service, Ilse gained many lifelong friends and exemplified a legacy of volunteerism passed on to her children.

Ilse is survived by her children: Ronald Wightman (CA), Ilse Baldwin (UT), Richard (Trudi) Wightman (AZ), Michael (Diedra) Wightman (VA); 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald; son, Kevin; and granddaughter, Ashlie Baldwin.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 9, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Following the viewing, a family graveside service and dedication will take place at Elysian Burial Gardens,1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah.