Wilma M. Witman, 98, of Greeley, CO passed away February 15, 2018 at Tru Hospice of Northern Colorado.
She was born in Bethany, MO on April 24, 1919 to Zella (Ballard) and Ramer Tucker. In March of 1924 Wilma’s family moved from Missouri to Hayes Center, NE in a Model T Ford. Their house in Hayes Center was a sod house that was covered with lumber. She attended first – eighth grade in a one room schoolhouse in Hayes Center.
In 1941 the family moved north of McCook, NE where they bought 240 acres for $10 an acre. Located just north of the farm was an Air Force Base. Wilma and her family would go into McCook on Saturday night to attend the movies. She and her sisters would meet servicemen from the base. The servicemen would then come to the farm to visit them. One Sunday they looked out the window and saw three boys coming into their yard. She told her sisters that she got the staff sergeant which turned out to be Don Witman, whom she married two months later.
Wilma and Don were married on December 12, 1944 in Oberlin, KS. To this union were born three children, Larry, Betty Jo and Mike. They lived in McCook until 1954 when Don was offered a better job in Sterling, CO. While living there they were active members of Calvary Baptist Church. Wilma accepted Jesus as her personal Savior on August 25, 1955.
In 1985 Don retired from J.C. Penney’s and they moved to Greeley. They enjoyed their retirement by traveling all over the United States, Canada and Alaska until Don passed away with cancer in 2000. They were married 55 years.
Wilma was a member of Faith Bible Baptist Church in Greeley. She loved going to church, spending time with her growing family and gardening. Her flowers were always being complemented by many. Wilma was a very strong woman who endured losing her husband and son, surviving breast cancer with a positive attitude and living on her own until a few weeks ago. She had a great sense of humor and concern for others and was a great example to all of us.
Wilma is survived by daughter, Betty Jo (Jim) Preston of Moreno Valley, CA; son, Mike (Kathy) Witman of Milliken, CO; sister Thelma (Dick) Walter of McCook; sister-in-law, Margaret Witman of Fleetwood, PA; nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Don; son, Larry; daughter-in-law, Marie; sisters, Mildred, Lena and Helen; and brothers, Darryl and Delbert.
Visitation 1-2 p.m. Monday, February 19 followed by Service at 2 p.m. at Adamson. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens with reception to follow at church.
A memorial fund in Wilma’s honor has been established at “Faith Bible Baptist Church Building Fund” 320 35th Avenue, P.O. Box 283, Greeley, CO 80632. Condolences may be left at adamsoncares.com.