Wilma Beatrice "Simon" Mader

Wilma Beatrice Mader, 98, passed away on March 17, 2026, at the Sheridan County Long Term Care Facility in Hoxie, Kansas. She lived a long and meaningful life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and quiet service to others.

Wilma was born on January 23, 1928, at her parents' farmhouse north of Quinter, Kansas, to George and Nella Simon. She was the fourth of seven children and grew up in a close knit family where Christian faith, generosity, responsibility, and perseverance were woven into daily life. From her mother, Wilma learned to sew, a skill she lovingly carried throughout her life as she created countless quilts that became cherished gifts to family, friends, and the community. The Simon family were devoted members of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Hoxie, Kansas.

As a young woman, Wilma spent many hours helping her father on the family farm, especially during World War II when her older brother, Vergel, entered military service. Daily she tended the cowherd by horseback during this challenging time, a testament to her early strength and grit. Those formative years instilled in her a strong work ethic, love of the land and a deep loyalty to family, preparing her well for the life she would build with her future husband.

On June 2, 1945, Wilma married Jim Mader. Together, they made their home on a farm south of Grainfield until they moved to Northeast Sheridan County Kansas in 1954. This is where they raised eight children and Registered Hereford cattle. As a young mom, Wilma worked as a Lino typist for the local newspaper.

Wilma took great pride in her family and delighted in giving her children names ending in "y," a tradition that became a small but joyful part of their family story. The Mader household was deeply involved in Sheridan County 4 H, where Wilma supported her children as they showed cattle and learned skills in baking and sewing.

Wilma was a dedicated member of her community. She was a 4-H Leader for over twenty-five years, participated in the Tuesday Study Club in Jennings, shared her quilting talents in fundraisers for St. Joseph's Parish in New Almelo, served on the Adell Township Election Board, was a member of Kansas Hereford Women and worked for many years as both a cook and a school bus driver. Education mattered deeply to Wilma, and she encouraged all her children to pursue learning and independence-each of them attending college, with several earning advanced degrees.

Jim and Wilma shared more than 68 devoted years of marriage, working side by side and remaining inseparable in family life, community involvement, and daily routines. After Jim's passing, Wilma entered a new chapter marked by travel with family and living in the town of Hoxie. She always experienced great joy in welcoming friends and visitors. She remained a loyal supporter of her community and especially enjoyed cheering for the Hoxie Indians. Faith filled, strong and resilient, Wilma lived independently until after her 98th birthday.

Wilma is survived by her five sons: Jim and his wife, Joy, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; Ron and his wife, Lorraine, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Terry and his wife, Kay, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Randy and his wife, Linda, of Hays, Kansas; and Tracy and his wife, Stacey, of Lenexa, Kansas. She is also survived by three daughters: Cindy and her husband, Larry, of Lenexa, Kansas; Judy and her husband, Mike, of Paola, Kansas; and Shelley and her husband, Mark, of Logan, Kansas. Additional survivors include nineteen grandchildren, twenty seven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother, Edwin Simon, and his wife, LeAnn, and her brother in law, Hal McCullough.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; her brothers Vergil and Delmar; and her sisters Vesta, Elaine, and Winifred.

Wilma Beatrice Mader will be remembered for her steady strength, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to family and community. Her life was a testament to love of family, living faithfully, purposefully, always with fortitude and leaving a legacy that will endure through generations.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Hoxie, Kansas.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Family Celebration Service will follow at 6:00 p.m. All friends and family are invited to attend the celebration service.

Memorials are suggested to L&C Home Health and the Sheridan County Library and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, P.O. Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740.