Wilma S. Hamblin

Wilma Sigrid Hamblin (Louis) passed away at Care Partners Fox Crossing Assistive Living in Neenah, Wisconsin on September 10, 2023. She was born on July 29, 1926 in Hayward, Wisconsin; the oldest of three daughters to William Henry Louis and Letitia Ann Louis (Edwards). Growing up Wilma alternatively lived in both Hayward and Hammond, Indiana.

Wilma met her future husband, Richard Clyde Hamblin, when she was 14 years old. They wrote each other during World War II and got married after the war ended and Rich was discharged. Wilma and Rich were married on July 28, 1945 in Hayward. They were married for over 40 years and welcomed six children into their family. Wilma and Richard lived in Hayward, Delevan, Beloit, Appleton, moving often to accommodate Rich’s career in Mink Ranching.

They spent their retirement years in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They lived west of town, planting a huge garden every year. Wilma spent all summer in the garden and then froze many vegetables each fall. She enjoyed quilting and joined the Lakeside Quilters Guild and gained many new friends. The family spent a lot of time in Hayward and Eau Claire, visiting relatives. Rich and Wilma flew out to Idaho, visiting their son Bill, taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park. After Rich passed away in 1987, Wilma visited Yellowstone every Memorial and Labor Day weekends for many years. She met many of Bill’s friends, hearing from some for many years after she quit making the trips out west. Also, after Rich passed away, Wilma began volunteering at Peg’s place of work, the CESA 6 Media Center. It was quite a transition from being a stay-at-home mother for most of her life. After a few years, she was hired and worked there until her daughter Peg retired in 2010.

Wilma was also very healthy. Her children often commented that she was more healthy than all of them! In 2018 she suffered a dislocated shoulder and had to spend three months in rehabilitation. Around this time, her family began to notice signs of dementia. Unfortunately, the dementia worsened and she moved to Care Partners in spring of 2022.

Wilma is survived by her six children: William Michael, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Nancy Ann Winter (Michael Johnson), Greenville, Wisconsin, Peggy Jeanette, Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Arthur Kelly (Jan) Appleton, Wisconsin; Ellen Kathryn (David) Mayhew, Greenville, Wisconsin; and Dawn Denise (Gary) Kohl, of Hilbert, Wisconsin. Wilma is also survived by five grandchildren: Michael (Danielle); Robert (Kathy); Timothy (Melissa); Matthew (Jessy); and Andy (Shannon) Kohl. Wilma was blessed with five great-grandchildren: Katrina Johnson, Meghan Reh, Eliana Rose Hamblin, Jack Levi Damon, and Ivan Arthur Hamblin. Wilma is also survived by one sister-in-law, Dorothy Kuta, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Wilma is preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents William and Letitia, her sisters Edith and Clara, and grandson Brian Damon.

A memorial visitation for Wilma will be held from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Pointe Dr., in Oshkosh, WI on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Interment will take place in Cable, Wisconsin at the Greenwood Cemetery. Niece Cathy Hamblin will conduct a small graveside service.

Wilma’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to her hospice nurses and CNA’s as well as her caretakers at Care Partners.