Legacy of Gold

Wilma Leman and the Golden Girls of Bremen

The Golden Girls of Bremen were perhaps the most loyal fans to ever grace school bleachers. Their story and their legacy lives on through a Friends of the (Marshall County Community) Foundation award in honor one of their members, Wilma Leman.

The Golden Girls, Wilma Leman, Doris Snider, Phyllis Waltz, and Margaret Ellen Widmar, attended Bremen school’s athletic contests, pep sessions, musical and drama performances together. The youngest of the Golden Girls was 81 when the Golden Girls Scholarship Fund at MCCF was established in 2003. Snider shared then that they had been going to school events for almost 16 years. She felt very lucky that they had found each other at that time in their lives. The four women went to games when sometimes they were nearly the only ones there, outside of the teams. They cheered from the stands in rain, sleet and snow.

When Wilma passed away in 2003, the surviving trio continued the tradition, although they said Wilma’s passing left a big void that they would never be able to fill. Nor did they want to. The other women saw Wilma as their guiding light and said she never gave up the fight even if “mega points” behind! Wilma was the most devoted and loyal fan for all the teams. At her funeral, over three dozen athletes wearing their letter jackets were her pallbearers. She had supported them all those years and they in turn supported her. The remaining women steadfastly continued their loyalty to the teams some days and evenings attending multiple events.

Wilma Leman lived life to the fullest. Her life was an inspiration not only to athletes, but to senior citizens and young people as well. Her friends shared that every experience she had - and there were many - she counted as ‘one more thing I’ve gotten to do.’

Becky Stiles, Wilma’s only child, shared that her mother was a great sports fan but to her family she was also a great mom and grandmother. “She never missed a lick and supported her grandkids in everything they did –from athletics and academics to baton twirling.”

The Friends of the (Marshall County Community) Foundation award honors individuals and/or organizations who have made significant contributions over the years to the growth and development of MCCF. The Board of Directors recognized that Wilma Leman, in addition to her loyalty and passion for her family and sports, was clearly exemplary in this way too. At the 2003 MCCF annual meeting, the Board of Directors announced the Friends of the Foundation award and contributed $50,000 toward establishment of the Golden Girls Scholarship Fund as a very fitting way to honor Mrs. Leman. Each year this fund supports scholarships for Bremen High School graduates.