Esther Marjorie Wilhelm, age 100 of Iola, passed away Friday, April 23, at the Manawa Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for a short time.
Esther was born May 27, 1920, in Lessor, Shawano County, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Rebecca (Severson) Olson. Esther was baptized and confirmed at Welhaven Lutheran Church. She graduated in 1935 from Wilson High School in Appleton. On August 29, 1937, she married the late Casper Lee Wilhelm at the Hitterdahl parsonage in the town of Iola. They had five children: Donald, Beverly (deceased), Robert, Lee Allen and Goldine. She was an extraordinary lady. She helped in the sawmill, worked on their farm, operated a pickle station in Northland for 57 years, she enjoyed embroidery, helping at the Northland Church for the Lutefisk Supper, she helped on the election board in town. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was very proud of her family, which kept her very busy with all the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. She enjoyed canning pickles and at the end of the pickle growing season, everyone looked forward to the Pickle Dance at Northland Ballroom, which included live music, dancing and of course, the excellent lunch she put on each year. There was a variety of sandwiches, cakes and of course the pickles she made herself. She has been blessed for over 100 years of life, and she will be missed dearly. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and staying busy.
Survivors include one daughter, Goldine (David) Mortenson, Iola; three sons, Donald (Paula), Iola; Robert (Janet), Boulder Junction; Lee Allen (Lynn), Iola; one sister, Lorraine Kuchma, Milwaukee; 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one daughter, one grandson, one great-grandson, one sister and two brothers.
The Funeral service for Esther will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at the Northland Lutheran Church, Iola with Dan Somers, officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Interment will take place in the the Northland Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences can be given at www.voiefuneralhome.com.