Dwila Winnifred Hess

Dwila Peck Bronson Hess, 95, died Sunday, July 12, 2011 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dwila was born Feb. 19, 1916 in Muir, Michigan, the daughter of Glenn and Mary (Anna) Peck. After graduating high school at age 16, she attended teacher training and then taught in several one-room schools in Gratiot County. After moving to Lansing and taking a job at REO Motors she married Gerald Bronson in 1945. Dwila lived in the house they bought for 55 years. After twelve years of marriage her husband drowned in 1957. To support her two children and provide after-school care for them without additional help she became a substitute teacher. An advocate for education, Dwila was very active in the elementary school PTA, serving as President for two years. When her children were older she resumed full-time work as a bookkeeper in a medical office and an ice arena. In 1979 she married Kenneth Hess. They celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary in 2004. Her interests at various times included roller-skating, gathering mushrooms, gardening, canning, genealogy, playing bridge, astrology, and travel. Dwila is survived by her sons Allan (Janet) Bronson and Boyd (Nancy Ambs) Bronson; grandchildren Jeremy (Danielle) Bronson, Hilary Bronson, and Ariel Bronson; brothers James and Louis Peck. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, and sisters-in-law Kittie and Sylvia Peck. At her request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Lansing, 4052 Legacy Pkwy., Ste. 200, Lansing, MI 48911.