Wilma E. Gesell

February 3, 1930 ~ October 21, 2019
Wilma E. Gesell, age 89 of Elma, Iowa, passed away on Monday, October 21. 2019 at Colonial Manor in Elma, Iowa.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elma, Iowa with Pastor Daird Korth officiating. Burial will be in Howard Cemetery at Elma, Iowa.
Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elma, Iowa.
Wilma Elizabeth Gesell was born on February 3, 1930 to Julius and Gertrude (Lubbert) Kapka in Riceville, Iowa. She attended school in Riceville and graduated from Riceville High School in 1949. Wilma worked in Osage, Iowa as a secretary. Wilma was married to Gilbert Gesell on April 21, 1952 at Maple Leaf Church near Elma, Iowa. After their marriage the couple lived in Amarillo, Texas until 1954 when they moved back to the family farm near Elma where they lived and raised their family.
Wilma enjoyed flower gardening, bird feeding and watching wildlife, and antiquing with her nieces. She was active in her church and enjoyed bowling with the girls from work. She enjoyed her family time especially with the grandchildren. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Wilma is survived by her son Roger (Barb) Gesell of Elma, Iowa; grandchildren Aaron Gesell, Jessica Knight, Kelly Tucke, Adam Gesell and Becky Hoehne; 13 great grandchildren; sister Velda Myers of Riceville, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
Wilma is preceded in death by her parents Julius and Gertrude Kapka; husband Gilbert (1995), sons Gary and Loren; daughter Diana; brothers Lavern and Orville; and sister Velma Krueger.
Aunt Wilma was like a second mother to me. I loved her very much and will miss her. I will always keep her in my heart. My love and support goes out to her son Roger and his family.
My great aunt Wilma always welcomed the family to her house when we would all come in town and the family farm was always the place where everyone wanted to be together. I remember when i was young visiting and everyone would sit and eat together and play games at the table and all of us cousins would run around the farm playing simple games like kids use to and harmless fun. Always was fun to hear about aunt Wilma and her shooting skills as she used to hunt or kill things around the farm. I was told she had great aim with her gun as no one better come around her place that wanted to cause trouble. She was the most caring and loving person however and always cooked for everyone and made us each feel loved and peaceful while having our stay with her. I know her farm wasn’t much as she would say but will always be a walk down “memory lane” as i called the entrance to her place and hope it is able to stay in the family!
Our sincere sympathy to the Gesell family. Wilma was a great lady and left us with fond memories.
I loved working 6 1/2 yrs. with Wilma! An I will never forget her infectious laugh! Big smile an biggest heart. An our big visits. An all you taught me !She was my afternoon kitchen aide some nights…an we worked opposite weekends. I remember when she had her open heart surgery. An yes was so happy to help out ,I picked up her hours…An missed her,an was so happy to see she could come back! An we always helped each other out! She wanted to spend Christmas with her family an grandkids. An of course I was young an loved New Years Eve!!! So she always worked my holiday…An I always worked Christmas for her! We were such a great team! An I’m was happy , to an glad to do this…since her time with her children were short…It was like God teamed us up! An couldn’t asked for a better friend… When I moved on! I missed all the gals I had worked with….An I still tell people all the fun we all had. How we all helped each other out! An the time spent with your Mom , grandma,an gr. Grandma! Truly were the greatest yrs. I worked!!! An Wilma yes, what happened at the manor stayed at the manor! Will never forget my best hard working,strong ,friend….Love you an always will!! Tell Mary T..Mary R… Millie K… an Kristy L. S. Hi from me! Will miss you all so much!!!