Wylma Wikert

Funeral Services for Wylma Wikert 86 of Graettinger will be Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger.  Visitation will be Friday 5 pm to 7 pm also at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger.  Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in Graettinger.

Wylma Irene Petersen was born November 8, 1930, in Graettinger, Iowa and passed away at the age of 86, residing at Hillcrest Lodge in Papillion, NE on August 16, 2017. She passed away from a long battle with Dementia/Alzheimers. Wylma was the youngest child of Dorothy and Dan Petersen. She grew up north of Graettinger, by the river. Wylma lived with her parents, a sister and four brothers. They later moved to a farm west of town. She attended Graettinger School, where she graduated.

Wylma had many stories of life by the river and farm. They found a baby fox that they raised as a family pet, until it began to bury chickens with their feet sticking out of the ground. She was devastated when they had to get rid of “Foxy” She learned that strong work ethic early from her parents and siblings.

In 1948, Wylma was united in marriage to Ervin R. Wikert at the United Methodist Church in Graettinger. The couple made their home on a farm north of Graettinger. The farm was first owned by Ervin's father, Clarence Wikert. The couple lived and farmed at this home, raised their four daughters here, and lived there their entire married life. They later purchased it, after the death of Clarence. Wylma worked at Wadco in Estherville until the plant closed. She also worked at West Oaks Resort in Okoboji cleaning condos. Wylma worked not only off the farm, but on it. They raised chickens and sold them, along with fresh eggs, to local customers. If you went by the Wikert farm, you might see Wylma on a tractor in the field, planting and watering flowers or even carrying feed to the farm animals. There was always something to do, and she was always busy! Wylma loved the farm and even after the death of Ervin in 1998, she stayed on the farm until about four years ago when her dementia began to progress and she was unable to be alone. She resided at the Hillcrest Dementia Unit in Papillion, NE for almost four years. Even in the late stages of her disease, Wylma remained kind and sweet and the staff enjoyed her so much!

Wylma and Ervin loved spending time at their Okoboji Lake cabin in the summer. Wylma loved to swim and did so as often as possible! She and Ervin also spent many winters in Florida enjoying the sunshine, while her daughter and husband lived there. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved watching basketball. She also enjoyed playing the piano. Wylma was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger, where she was active in Circle and Ladies Aid. The church was very important to Wylma. Family and friends were also very important to Wylma and she cherished them. She was a wonderful wife, mother, aunt, grandma and great grandma. She was so patient and had a “listening ear” if you needed one. Wylma enjoyed life and was a bright spot, in all four of her girl's lives! She was so proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and looked forward to times spent with them.

Wylma is survived by her daughters; Kathy & Doug Brandt, Papillion, NE, Joan & Perry Parks, Papillion, NE and Sharon Mears, Bellevue, NE; son-in-law Mike Kluemper, Bellevue, NE, grandchildren; Sara (Parks) & Jon Alexander, Omaha, Laura (Parks) & Brandon Evans, Papillion, Leah (Kluemper) & Allen Raushel, Johnson, IA , Matt & Jo Kluemper, Kansas City, Breanna Brandt and fiance, Gaven Hefling, Papillion, Bryce and Abby Brandt, Papillion, Brad Mears, Bellevue and Eric Mears, Bellevue; great grandchildren; Karsten & Trent Alexander, Emma & Cade Evans, Emmy, Lena and Allen Jr. Raushel and Westley & Laney Kluemper, sister-in-law; Marty Wikert, Omaha and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ervin, daughter, Chris Kluemper sister, Elaine Oliver, brothers and sisters-in law; Kelly and Rachel Petersen, Dennis and Evelyn Petersen, Merle and June Petersen, Kenneth and Bonnie Petersen, Richard Wikert, Wilma Murray, Mildred and Garry Wallman, nieces and nephew; Barb (Murray) Conwell, Mary Lynn (Murray) Paris, Jim Wallman and father and mother-in-law, Clarence and Emma Wikert.

Memorials preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church.