Kathleen "Kitty" Joanne (Braband) Wilder greeted this world on October 15, 1951 in Big Rapids, Michigan. As a toddler, she traveled with her parents Wallace (Wally) and Violet (Vi) Braband to Nigeria to do the Lord's work as missionaries. Kathy Jo, as she was called then, was the first of three siblings. Her brother Bob and sister Karen joined the family in Nigeria. Kitty would spend the majority of the years through high school in boarding schools in Nigeria. Because there were so many Kathy's in school she chose the nickname Kitty that stayed with her. Kitty found a love of Nigeria and Africa that she would have for the rest of her life.
After high school, Kitty moved to Marshall, Minnesota in the care of her aunt while her parents remained in Nigeria. Kitty then attended Oak Hills Bible College in Bemidji, Minnesota. It was at Oak Hills where, on Valentine's Day 1971, she had her first date with fellow student, Jim Wilder. That memorable date started with the movie Ben Hur and ended with Jim’s car stuck in a ditch; they would be married just 10 months later on December 18, 1971.
Four years later, while Jim finished his studies in Bemidji State University, Kitty gave birth to her first child (James). The small family moved to Pasadena, California when Jim started graduate school later that year. Displeased with her hospital experience with her first child, Kitty gave birth to their second son (Rami) at home, less than two years later.
Kitty loved being a mother and chose work that allowed her to watch her children while Jim finished his Ph.D. In addition to typing all his papers, she worked as a typist, receptionist, executive secretary among other jobs to help support her family and yet have time for her young boys. On the side, she audited all the marriage and family counseling courses at the graduate school and kept the family going on camping trips.
When her boys were older, Kitty would decide, with the support and encouragement of Jim, to return to school. She obtained her Associate's degree, became certified as a massage therapist, interpreter for the deaf and eventually was ordained as a pastor. She began working with the ministry in Shepherd's House in 2001 and started training and teaching in the Life Model in 2002 where she would find her passion for teaching and helping others. She loved leading her track in the THRIVE training program she helped develop.
Throughout her life, Kitty gave freely of her time to others. She spent years volunteering with an organization interpreting and helping the deaf/blind community. She was an active member of many ministries including teaching repeatedly at Youth With A Mission for over 15 years. Kitty traveled the world teaching and ministering in South Korea, Hawaii, the Netherlands, Thailand, Germany, Ecuador, Canada, Hungary, Romania, Poland, and Mexico. She traveled for fun to France, Spain, England, Italy, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Jamaica and still had a long list of other places she wanted to visit.
In 2016, Kitty and Jim relocated to Colorado to be closer to their sons and their families. She enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them when she was not traveling the world teaching and ministering to others. She loved family gatherings and hearing about what each grandchild was doing. She loved giving them gifts based on their interests.
Kitty’s “family” was formed by births, blending and bonding. Many people identified her as a sister, mother and grandmother for them. “Quin” Wilder, Gabriel Wilder, Leila Wilder, Nicole Wilder, Zhak Wilder, Samuel Wilder, Briana Brum, Jolina Brum, Chase Stemmons, Ethan Stemmons, Avery Stemmons, Claire Wilder, and Kyndra Wilder begin the list of those who experienced her as a grandmother.
In March, 2020, Kitty after having a series of unexplained fevers and other health problems, received the devastating diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She did not allow the diagnosis to change who she was, however. With new treatments and lots of love and care by Jim, Kitty was able to put the cancer in remission and continued to live a rich life spending as much time as possible with all of those she loved. She even recovered from a stroke and heart failure in May, 2021.
On July 26, 2021, with Jim and her sons James and Rami by her side, Kitty left her suffering behind and went to be with the Lord that she loved so much. She left behind uncountable numbers of loved ones and family that will cherish and remember her.
