WIHLM, Rose Delores (Esser) 1924-2011

ESSER, WIHLM, BACKER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/22/2011 at 16:15:20

BURIAL IN FLOYD COUNTY

GREENE, IOWA - Funeral Mass for Rose Delores Wihlm, 86, of Greene, will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 23, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Roseville, rural Marble Rock, with the Rev. Monsignor Walter Brunkan officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary Cemetery, Roseville.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., today, Sunday, May 22, at St. Mary Catholic School in Roseville. There will be a Rosary Service and Scriptural Wake at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the school one hour before services on Monday.

Rose Delores Esser was born on Sept. 29, 1924, in Cartersville, Cerro Gordo County, the daughter of William D. and Lena (Backer) Esser and died Friday (May 20, 2011) at the Liebe Care Center in Greene. Rose grew up on a farm near Rockford and graduated from the country school near their farm. Rose worked as a hired hand on the Hitzhusen farm at Marble Rock.

Rose was united in marriage to Alphonse Eugene Wihlm on Oct. 12, 1943, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Carterville. This union was blessed with eleven children. Rose and Alphonse started farming in March 1947 east of Dougherty and farmed over the years in Dougherty, Rockford, Marble Rock, Greene, and the Roseville area.

She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene and Roseville and a member of her ladies circle serving as president and vice president at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene.

Rose enjoyed working along side her husband, Alphonse, on the farm. She loved to spend time with her family and grandchildren, fishing in Canada, playing cards, and watching soaps on TV.

Rose is survived by her 11 children, Bill (Shelby) Wihlm of Greene, Dan Wihlm of Madeila, Minn., Larry (Jane) Wihlm of Greene, Dick (Micki) Wihlm of Marble Rock, Kathy Brunsma of Harrogate, Tenn., Dave (Linda) Wihlm of Greene, Connie (Bruce) Helgeson of Lake Mills, Barb (Bob) Raisty of Greene, Rosie (Bryon) Trees of Greene, Judy (Dave) True of Mason City, Mike Wihlm (special friend Debra Shindelar) of Rockford; 32 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren (one more on the way), six step-great grandchildren; three sisters, Leone (Rowland) Coonradt of Eden Prarie, Minn., Arlene (Clarence) Kirchoff of Rockwell, Betty (Wayne) Larson of Dougherty; one sister-in-law, Mary Paulus of Mason City; two brothers-in-law, Bob (Barb) Wihlm of Cedar Rapids and Joseph Wihlm of Sheffield.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alphonse; her parents; three sisters, Marcella Esser, Alice Stricker, and Dorothy Ross; one brother, Leo Esser; three half-brothers, Lester Esser, Dutch Esser, and Harry Esser; one brother-in-law, Joseph Paulus; one sister-in-law, Rita Paulus; one step- brother-in-law, Francis Backer; one daughter-in-law, Karen Wihlm; and two step-grandchildren, Shannon and Little David True.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Rose Wihlm Memorial Fund P.O. Box 10, Greene, IA 50636-0010.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. Greene, 641-823-4457, www.reidsfuneralchapel.com.

[ Globe Gazette online, May 22, 2011 ]