Sylvia Arm Wunderli left behind a legacy of service to all around her and a great love of family and nature when she peacefully passed from this life on March 22, 2022, at age 83. Born in Basel, Switzerland on June 1, 1938, to Walter and Ida Arm, Sylvia’s early childhood was filled with both love and adversity. She talked of hiding in bunkers while the ground shook during WWII (as Basel lies on the border of Germany), living in a sanatorium for six months at age 5 because of tuberculosis exposure, and the devastating loss of her younger sister, Irene in 1953, not long after moving to Utah. Throughout it all, she leaned on a loving family and friends and developed her desire to help others.
When she was 10 years old, Sylvia’s family immigrated to America by ship, arriving at Ellis Island in 1949 and then moving to Utah. There, she was faced with the reality of starting a new life, learning a new language, and making new friends. Rather than harping on her own difficult transition, she embraced the new challenge with both optimism and enthusiasm, and focused on finding ways to help and serve others.
Her willingness to serve and unwavering faith in God saw her through two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One in Frankfurt, Germany from 1961-1963 and the other to Berlin, Germany from 2012-2013. She diligently fulfilled every church calling (and there were A LOT) from nursery or cub scout leader to Stake Board of Relief Society. She served others in her various jobs from Chair of the County Republican Party to Executive Director of the Huntsman World Senior Games which she helped start, run and grow to become the largest annual multi-sport senior competition in the world. But most will remember her small acts of service…baked goods, walks in the neighborhood, kind notes and texts sent with love.
From the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland to the red rocks of Southern Utah, Sylvia loved being outdoors. She loved hiking in the mountains, boating on the lakes, and participating in all kinds of sports from snow skiing, swimming, biking, tennis, and even football with friends from her teen years in the Avenues, or in the front yard with her children. She will forever be remembered for getting up on waterskis at her 80th birthday party while family watched in awe and enthusiastically cheered her on.
Always full of energy, Sylvia tackled life and any obstacles thrown in her way with fearlessness, discipline, infectious charisma, and strong faith in God. Her beautiful shining smile both filled the hearts of all those who knew her and embodied her love for life. She never took for granted the little things in life that made it beautiful, like music. She loved the theater, musicals, all types of music, and even singing herself. Her kids and grandkids will always remember her belting out Let’s Go Fly a Kite, Spoon Full of Sugar, and many of her other favorites with such fervor that it was impossible for those around her not to join in.
Without question, Sylvia’s greatest love was her family. She dedicated her time, talents, heart and soul to raising 5 children and 20 grandchildren. She could always be found cheering on the sidelines and bleachers or clapping in the audience. She was always there. Though she had many great accomplishments in life, her children and grandchildren will always remember her most for all the times she played with them, supported them, and loved them unconditionally. That love was, and will always be, reciprocated by all those who were touched by her life.
Sylvia is preceded in death by her father, Walter Arm; mother, Ida Fricker; sister, Irene; and brother Walter Arm. She is survived by her sister, Doris Petty, her children John (Deborah), Robert (Sally), Michael (Kathy), Marci Numbers (Charlie), Daniel (Angela), 20 beloved grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Viewing and Funeral will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Draper 9th Building 12353 S. 600 E., Draper, UT 84020. Viewing at 11:00 am. Funeral at 12:00 pm. Interment Larkin Sunset Gardens. To watch the funeral services online, please click on the blue "Watch Services" box above. You will need to open your Zoom account. To sign up for your own free account, visit the Zoom sign-up page and enter your email address. You will receive an email from Zoom (no-reply@zoom.us). In this email, click Activate Account.
Only great memories of her compassion for everyone and dedication to scouting.
Appreciate the many hours she devoted to church callings and serving others.
Sending all of your family condolences and love at this time. May you always remember the wonderful times shared. Love you Mike!
We have so many wunderbar memories of you Silvia.
You have been a great example of goodness and happiness for us.
Helen and Bill Stone.
Been great friends with Mike for almost 20 years in Southern California. Condolences and love to the family!
Sending love and comfort for peace at this time to all the family. She was kind and generous. She was so thoughtful to come to Idaho for my Mom’s funeral. May you remember the wonderful times you had together with your sweet mother.
Love, Janet Pope
Sylvia was a 2nd mom to me and treated me like one of her own kids. She loved helping others and was always curious to meet new people and to find out there story and what they wanted to accomplish. The Hathaway family sends our love and condolences to the whole Wunderli family. She was 1 of a kind. Love you all.
I have sweet memories of Sylvia and her friendship and of all of you. I hope your memories will sustain and help you as you grieve her loss. She was a lovely lady. With love to each of you, Faun Hansen Turley and Family.
I had a lovely friendship with her, with some good memories.I will miss her, she will always be remembered. Condolences to all her family.
Sylvia touched so many lives in the most wonderful way. I’m grateful I got the chance to know her as a friend since we both were in Rostock, Germany.
Sylvia was a most kind and cheerful person I ever met.
I truly miss her!! 🇩🇪💞💐🌿
I miss you too much.
My deepest sympathies to all of you.
Sylvia touched my life in a way I cannot describe. She was the most caring, adorable, loving woman I’ve ever had the honor to know. She always seemed to “ watch over” megan and I. And oh those chocolate treats she’d make us. Everyone loved Sylvia.
“There is a sacredness in tears, they are not a sign of weakness, but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable LOVE”
-Washington Irving-
She was an angel on earth and now an angel at peace watching over those she loved. I always told her she was my guardian angel. God has his angel. Forever. Rest Sylvia. I love you
My wife and I just found out about Sis. Wunderli's passing. She had been in our River view 7th Ward. I was her bishop.
She was very cheerful and faithful in her service; a model of Christ-like service. What a wonderful lady. The world is a better place for her having been here. We will miss her.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sylvia's' family and to he sister Dee.
Love from cousins Walter, Jo and Ferd
Our condolences to Sylvia's whole family. Sylvia was extraordinary! Not only was she a warm and wonderful friend, her service to her church and community was wonderful and exemplary. Sylvia will be missed by all who knew here. Rest well, Sylvia, until we meet again on high.
With warmest remembrance, Tony and Carol Middleton
You were always a wonderful example to everyone. We will miss you!
Dear Wunderli Family,
Brandon and Brady remember Sylvia as their fun and enthusiastic Blazer leader. She made scouting fun for them with great activities. I (Jane) remember her the same way - always enthusiastic and full of energy for every project. I 'm amazed at the work she did promoting the Huntsman Senior Games. We've missed her in the neighborhood these past years, but will always feel that she blessed our lives in the time she lived nearby. Our best wishes to her family! We know they've been taught properly to carry on a great tradition of service to others. We're grateful to Bobby for keeping us informed about the family through the years.
Much love to you all!
Sincerely, Jane and Spencer Jones
Oh Dear Marci and Family, I was so sad to see the passing of your sweet mother. Before the pandemic she was the "Bright" spot in my day every Tuesday when she came to the temple. She always had the biggest smile on her face and would give me a hug. She knew that I knew Marci but I'm sure even if she didn't she would greet me the same way! What a beautiful woman. Much Love and Prayers to your sweet family. Tammy Crystal
Doris,
I just found out about the passing of Sylvia and from the obituary about Walt. I am very sad to learn that Sylvia and Walt passed and that I didn't know about it.
I would love to contact you and Carla. It has been many years since I have talked to any of you although I did spend some time with Walt at a Hight School Reunion, and loved his frequent email..
My email is attached to this note and I look forward to hearing from you.
Jeff Summerhays
jpsummerhays@cox,net
It was my honor to work with Sylvia at the Huntsman World Senior Games. She was truly a nice person who cared about people. Memories are wonderful to have and my of Sylvia are wonderful. God bless us all.
Bonnie
John sorry to learn of her passing. Soo many fond memories of being welcomed in to your Wasatch Dr. home, Sylvia whipping us up a quick lunch, and the many rides in the old Subuaru being shuttled to tennis matches. She was a master of the stick shift! He laughter was infectious and she raised wonderful kids! I can't help but smile when I think of Sylvia :)
Dear Wunderli family, upon belatedly learning of your mother’s passing our hearts and love went out to you for many reasons. You may not know how powerfully each of you have blessed our lives and those of our children. You were central to our nearly two decades living in the 13th Ward and we cherish our memories of you. We hope that by knowing how loved you and your amazing and beloved mother are, that your sorrow and longing for her is made a touch easier to bear.
With love and gratitude to you all, Peter & Mary Ann Van Alstyne
Dear Wunderli family, upon belatedly learning of your mother’s passing our hearts and love went out to you for many reasons. You may not know how powerfully each of you have blessed our lives and those of our children. You were central to our nearly two decades living in the 13th Ward and we cherish our memories of you. We hope that by knowing how loved you and your amazing and beloved mother are, that your sorrow and longing for her is made a touch easier to bear.
With love and gratitude to you all, Peter & Mary Ann Van Alstyne