Nyra Wise, age 80, a long time resident of Wheaton, IL, went to be with the Lord peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, December 20, 2018. She was born December 25, 1937 in Chicago, IL to Douglas and Florence Winge.

Nyra grew up in Chicago and was an honor student at Amundsen High School. She graduated from DePaul University with a B.S.P.E. and received her M. Ed in counseling from DePaul. She began her career working as a teacher in the inner city and it was during this time that a friend led her to the Lord.

In 1970 she decided to move to Wheaton with her two sons. She lived there the rest of her time except for a few years when she lived in Galena, IL. She was a long time member of Wheaton Bible Church and later on the College Church in Wheaton.

She spent most of her life working to support her family. In the little spare time she had she loved to knit, crochet, cook and bake. Every Christmas she would spend weeks baking thousands of cookies to give to family, friends, and co-workers. Later in life she picked up the game of canasta and would eagerly go each week to play with her new friends. The thing she loved most of all was to spend time with her family. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren equally, and they all felt that they had a special bond with her.

It is impossible to sum up her life in a few paragraphs. She was a teacher, counselor, friend, advisor, mentor, coach, guide, and the list goes on and on. Most of all, she loved Jesus, and wanted to share that hope and joy with everyone she met. She lived for, and served Him, her entire adult life.

Christmas was always a special time as she was born on Christmas day. This year she is gloriously rejoicing with the all the saints and angels before the throne of the one whom she has so longed to be in the presence of. What a joyful Christmas for her this year as she sings carols in the presence of Emmanuel.

She is survived by two sons, Charles Wise of Lena, IL, Kurt (Heather) Wise of Wheaton, IL, one step daughter, Linda (Frank) Celmer of Crystal Lake, IL, four grandchildren, Annika and Gunnar Wise, Lauren (Chris) Hiebert, Aaron Celmer, and three great-grandchildren, Leah, Ben and Luke. She is also survived by one brother James (Barb) Winge of Prescott, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to ECFA .