Wilma Jean French

1933 - 2023

Wilma French, 89, of Broken Bow, Neb., passed away April 24, 2023, at Brookestone View in Broken Bow.

Wilma Jean (Larson) French was born Oct. 23, 1933, at Broken Bow to Harry G. and Gertrude (Walter) Larson.

She grew up on the family farm in Rose Valley northeast of Broken Bow and enjoyed going to grade school at the Rose Valley country school where she met many friends. She then attended Broken Bow High School where she enjoyed music and was proud to be part of the marching band, playing the clarinet while also making many more new friends.

She graduated from high school in 1951 and started at the University of Nebraska that fall. She would graduate from UNL with a degree in Business Administration in the spring of 1955.

While attending the University she met Gene French and would later marry on Aug. 29, 1954.

After Wilma and Gene graduated in 1955, Wilma followed Gene around during his service to the country. This service would take them to Idaho, Utah, Texas and Oklahoma before Gene was sent overseas. Wilma would stay in Lincoln, working for a professor at the UNL College of Dentistry. When Gene returned from his military service overseas in July of 1958, they would move to the ranch east of Broken Bow.

Wilma's college degree would prove to be an asset for helping to manage their growing purebred livestock operation. She learned computing skills on her own which would prove to be invaluable for developing the bull sale catalog and other data intensive requirements of the seedstock business. She worked tirelessly both as a homemaker and a business partner.

During these 53 years she would raise two boys, Lynn and Carl, and a daughter, Karen. Her children were her pride and joy. She was an excellent seamstress and would make many of her own and her daughter Karen's childhood clothes. She made her own beautiful wedding dress and all five of the bridesmaids' dresses.

Her kids and grandkids fondly remember her excellent cooking and her pies were the best. In 2011, Wilma and Gene bought a house in Broken Bow where they moved.

Wilma enjoyed spending time in her flower gardens and working for the Christian Women's Club. She played the piano for the worship services at the Evangelical Free Church and later at the Golden Living Center retirement home. She also taught piano lessons to some of her granddaughters.

She leaves behind her husband; three children Karen (Mark), Lynn (Laurie), and Carl (Toni); eight grandchildren Sheena (Lowell), Nikki (Derrick), Leah (Luke), Levi, Spencer, Austin (Brooke), Justin (fiancé Jory) and Jamie (fiancé Brennen); and 13 great-grandchildren Madden, Cash, Rawlins, Rowan, Grant, Garrett, Moxon, Raygan, Brigston, Bexley, Declan, Isla Ree and Brynn.

Funeral services are Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Tim Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, April 28, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to the Evangelical Free Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.