Wilma Wellner
Wilma Wellner, 100, of Springfield, died on Friday, March 3, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield.
Her funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at the St. John Lutheran Home with Pastor Tricia Mattson and Chaplain Noel Wetter officiating. Interment will be at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at St. John Lutheran Home from 12:00 to 1:00 on Saturday.
Wilma Viola (Theresa) Kuritz was born Dec. 6, 1916, in Murray County, Minnesota, near Slayton to William Henry Kuritz and Theresa Anna Tegeler. Her mother died a month later due to childbirth complications and pneumonia. Wilma and her sister, Erna, lived with an aunt and uncle for a period of time until William married Helena Bertha Schenk of Springfield, and the family moved to Springfield.
Wilma grew up in Springfield and graduated from high school there in 1934. While in high school and afterwards she did housecleaning for several families. She then worked as a nurse at Tessien Hospital.
On August 4, 1940, Wilma married Leonard M. Anderson and thereafter lived on his farm and was a farmwife and homemaker. Wilma and Leonard were blessed with four children, Keith D., Nancy L., Marsha Beth, and Jon Scott.
Leonard died on March 3, 1989, in Springfield. Wilma married Lewis O. Wellner in April 1991. Lewis died on June 17, 2004.
Wilma was a very creative seamstress, quilter and crochetier, earning many ribbons and awards on her works. She loved to garden — especially roses and other flowers — again winning ribbons and awards on the beautiful arrangements that she created. She was active in her church, Christ Stately, where she sang in the choir and for many years was Sunday school superintendent. As her children grew and became more independent, she became a nurse’s aid at the Springfield Community Hospital.
Wilma is survived by sons, Keith D. (Paula) and Jon S. (Kim); and daughter Nancy L.; daughter in-law, Karen Kuritz; and son-in-law, Tim Berg and his wife Bonnie; stepchildren, Cheryl (Ron) Smith and Rick Wellner; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Leonard M. Anderson and Lewis O. Wellner; two sisters, Edith E. (2) and Erna B. (54); daughter, Marsha B. Berg; and a son from a previous relationship, Vance R. Kuritz; granddaughter, Danielle Goette; and stepdaughter, Janice Anderson.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield, Minnesota. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com