ENGELKES, Wilma 1913-2008

ENGELKES, JOHNSON, MEAD

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/6/2010 at 11:44:55

Wilma R. Engelkes, 94, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, formerly of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, Iowa.

Wilma Ruth Johnson Engelkes was born in Parkersburg, IA Nov 2, 1913 to George and Anna Mead Johnson in the home that is now the funeral home. Her grandfather Mead built that house. Her mother died during the flu of 1918 and her grandparents and great aunt, Mr. & Mrs. W. S. Mead and Anna Bush Bailey, raised her. She graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1931, attended Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) for 3 months to get a teaching certificate. She taught school for several years in rural Grundy County and Fern.

Wilma married Harold W. Engelkes September 23, 1937, and they moved to Grundy Center and co-owned and operated Engelkes Funeral Home. She assisted with the funeral business until Harold semi-retired in 1972. She took a job proofreading at the Spokesman Press for 7+ years and then at the Grundy Register for 20+ years, retiring in 1998. Wilma was a member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, Bethany Women's Association and church circle for 70+ years.

She is survived by her daughters: Anna Maxine Engelkes of Cedar Falls, with whom she made her home, and Carol Madelle Brobst and her husband Dan of Hudson; two brothers-in law, Carroll (Jim) Engelkes and wife Faith of Green Valley, Arizona and C.W. (Wilbur) Engelkes and wife Betty of LaPorte City; one sister-in law, Anna Mae Schnucker and husband Robert of Parkersburg and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in August of 1995; an infant daughter, Lois Sue, in 1946; her parents; an infant sister, Marie Johnson; one brother-in-law, John Engelkes and wife Betty Jane of Parkersburg.