Alma Wiltse, 98 of Lyons

Alma Wiltse

Alma Wiltse, a descendant of early settlers of the Oakland-Lyons area, was born on November 3, 1915 to Emil and Elizabeth (Schneider) Schlichting on the family farm northeast of Oakland, Nebraska.  She passed away Thursday, November 7, 2013, at Oakland Heights, in Oakland, at the age of 98 years.

She was baptized, December 5, 1915 by Pastor Kuehnert, and confirmed, July 21, 1929 by Pastor Lambrecht, at St. John’s Lutheran Church of rural Lyons.  She attended district 52 School, St. John’s Parochial School and graduated from Oakland High School in 1933.

On August 7, 1938, she married Clare L. Wiltse, the youngest son of Ernest and Ida Mae (Rowan) Wiltse at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  The couple farmed east of Lyons until 1978, when they moved to their home in Lyons.

Alma has been a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church; and participated in it’s Ladies Aid, Thursday morning Bible study, and LWML. She was also a member of the Better Homes Club, a home extension club, for over 50 years, and had been a member of the Lyons art club. She and her husband loved playing cards with their friends and family.  She also enjoyed making quilts and crocheting afghans, working in her garden, and baking.

Alma was preceded in death by her husband, Clare; her parents, Emil and Elizabeth Schlichting; brothers, Ernest Schlichting, Guido Schlichting, Rudolph Schlichting, and Walter Schlichting; sisters, Clara Nelson, Irene Nelson, and Ruth Gunkel; son-in-law, Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Krajewski.

She is survived by her three children, Nancy Krajewski O’Connor and her husband Martin of Stevensville, MD; Patricia Bruenger and her husband Pastor Alvin of Oakley, KS; and Clare Wiltse II and his wife Janet of Lyons; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and her brother, Arthur Schlichting of Craig, NE.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, November 15, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church rural Lyons, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Thursday, November 14, 2013, with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation Friday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com