Wilma Jean (Thomas) KORTHAS

KORTHAS, THOMAS, POCHOP, KORTHAS-KIESECKER, KIESECKER, LANE, FREEMAN, THOMAS, PFUND

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/21/2010 at 15:58:24

August 19, 2010
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

July 2, 1927 -- August 16, 2010

Wilma Jean Korthas, 83, of Fort Dodge, died Monday, August 16, 2010 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice House. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 21, 2010 at the Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Peters officiating. Interment will follow in the Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held for 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Bruce-Graham Funeral Home.

Wilma was born July 2, 1927, the daughter of LeRoy and Anna (Pochop) Thomas in Gregory, South Dakota. She graduated from high school in Plainview, Nebraska and received a teaching certificate. She taught in a one-room school in the Plainview vicinity. On June 26, 1949, Wilma was united in marriage to Clarence Allen Korthas in Plainview, Nebraska. They moved with Al's work before settling in Belmond, Iowa in 1952.

Wilma was a homemaker while her children were young and worked for Huddleston's clothing stores in Belmond. The family moved to Fort Dodge in 1974. She worked at Diamonds Clothing Store and later at the Fort Dodge Fort Museum. In 2009, Wilma moved to the Heritage Apartments, Friendship Haven, where she established many friendships. Wilma held her family especially dear and enjoyed family gatherings, holidays and birthdays together. She was a generous volunteer at Trinity Methodist Church, with Trinity Hospital Auxiliary and at Friendship Haven. Wilma enjoyed her time with friends and neighbors, her card and quilting partners, and she remained active with passions in cooking, puzzles, hobbies and reading. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren and friends.

Those thankful for having shared in Wilma's life include her sons Stanley (Mary) of Brunsville, IA, Kent (Cathy) of Sedalia, MO, Thomas of Belmond, IA; daughters Karen of Sioux City, IA and Luann Korthas-Kiesecker of De Pere, WI; grandchildren Matthew (Misty) Korthas, Benjamin Korthas, Chris Korthas, Kylie Korthas, Kimberly Korthas, Jessica (Mike) Lane and Nolan Kiesecker; great-grandchildren Devon Korthas, Daxton Korthas and Alexis Lane; step-grandchildren Kelly Freeman and Dustin Kiesecker; brothers Lyle Thomas of Norfolk, NE, Leonard Thomas of Arnold, CA and sister Dorothy Pfund of Laguna Nigel, CA. Mrs. Korthas was preceded in death by her husband Al Korthas, her parents, two brothers and one grandson, Darwin Kiesecker. Memorials may be made to one's personal charity.