Wilma Jolivette
Marshfield. Visitation was held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m.
Wilma Jolivette, 88, died from the effects of Alzheimer’s on June 13, 2024. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Zion Community Church in until the time of the service at the church.
She enjoyed having local obituaries read to her. It sparked a part of her brain that allowed her to recall and share the names of family members of the deceased, their birth order, who they married, where they lived relative to the home farm where she grew up, along with amusing anecdotes of growing up together near Rock Creek swimming hole.
Wilma Lenore Prior was born during a snowstorm on Polly survives. Depression, and cooking spaghetti and tomatoes with Polly when the folks were out.
Feb. 5,1936, to Calvin and Irene (Pratt) Prior, on a farm two miles northwest of Loyal. She had three older siblings: Art (Joyce), Allan (Bunny, June) and Polly (Art, Gene). met Francis V. Andruszkiewicz and they were united in marriage on April 8,1961, at Wilma's early memories included the polio epidemic, living through the Great She also recalled the family owning two ponies: Twinkle and Billy; attending church camp meetings; working as a teenager at Grambsch's candy store; and obtaining her driver's license at age 14 when her dad bought the local police officer a beer.
Wilma's first marriage unfolded in a comedy of errors. Her friend, Jerry Koschak,was
trying to avoid military service. At the age of 15 she went to the courthouse in Rhinelander and was able to obtain a marriage license by claiming to be 18. Jerry went to - marriage ended in divorce. In an effort to support a family of three as a single parent,
the Army. The marriage dissolved.
On her 19th birthday she married Gordon Fleming in Park Falls. They had two chil dren, Gordon John Fleming III and Spring Joy Fleming. Eventually Gordon's spirit of adventure collided with Wilma's sincere desire to remain close to home and family. The Wilma worked three jobs; as an office assistant to Dr. R.L. Barnes' chiropractic office in Greenwood, where she demonstrated exercise equipment, scheduled appointments, and did body wraps; as a waitress at Horn's Edgetown Drive-In in Greenwood and at It was at Horn's Edgetown Drive-In that she met her next husband, John Susa, Jr. Wilma welcomed his children, Pat, Luann, Tony and Linda, into their lives. They had a daughter, Victoria Irene Susa. John died in an auto accident in September 1969.
Wilma spent the next several years raising her children, obtaining her GED at eve
the Arbutus Café in Neillsville. ning classes along with her friend, Dorothy Schrimper, setting up and serving Meals on Wheels, working as a unit clerk at the inpatient psychiatric department at St. Joseph
Hospital, working at Stewart's Redville Dairy and working at Grassland Butter.
In 1981, Wilma was at a family wedding dance when she looked across the room and saw an old friend, Delton Jolivette. They were starstruck and inseparable from that day on. Del and Wilma were married on March 5, 1982, at home with all their children witnessing the event. Wilma welcomed Del's children: Charlie, Becky, Cindy Delton and Wilma had a large group of friends. They often went snowmobiling or traveling with friends. They hosted annual New Year's Eve parties with their grandsons as the most consistent attendees. They always laughed and had a good time.
In 1983, Wilma was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive and degen
Annie and Jamie into her life. erative eye disease. She did not accept the diagnosis and spent the rest of her life doing an amazing job pretending she could see.
Wilma and Delton loved their children unconditionally. There were many tragic events and more joyous celebrations. They were there every time a child needed time, encouragement, a favor, a babysitter, or a shoulder to cry on. They respected the choices their children made and did not judge. Their door was always open.
Del died just weeks short of their 30th wedding anniversary. Wilma moved to Cedar Rail. During the seven years she lived there, she enjoyed eating lunch at the same table with friends every day. In the afternoons she liked to visit in the community area and
she was a member of a weekly Bible study. For 12 years Wilma went to church with Vicki on Sundays, followed by an afternoon of lunch and visiting at Vicki's home.
During those 12 years Spring picked her up every “Wilma Wednesday” for shopping and lunch. When she moved to assisted living, she loved to comment that she was the only resident there whose family took them out twice a week.
“Finer than frog’s hair,” and “I’m not seeing very well today.” She waited patiently to Wilma’s gift was loving kindness. She loved and was loved by many, including those whom she faithfully raised up in prayer, including many from Zion Community
Wilma lived out her faith by praying for others. She wore out at least one Bible. God was always her anchor in turbulent times and in good times. She loved to sing hymns and recite Bible verses from memory. She was known for quirky sayings like go home to heaven. Her passing was peaceful. Her daughters were by her side. Church. There were many people employed by Serenity Living, Lakeland Care and Heartland Hospice who knew, provided compassionate care for, and loved Wilma. One of her beautiful friends shared this:
“I want you to know that my knowing her has made me a better version of me. I believe that beautiful pieces of her are captured in all of us who knew her and that all of us will pour some of the magic she gave us into the universe in our words and our actions. In this way, she will remain in this world, making our days better, brighter as she waits for us to join her.”
Wilma is lovingly survived by daughters: Spring (Nick Poeschel) and Vicki (David Foemmel). She is also survived by grandchildren: Jeff Barum, Zach (Jenae) Parsons, Brenda (Tim) Amwoza, John (Rachel) Foemmel and Kim Fleming. She was further the heart. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Delton Jolivette; a son, Gordon John Fleming III; and two granddaughters, Jackie Barum and Annie Fleming.
survived by many stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and daughters of
PAID OBITUARY 154319
