Wilma Papke

1928 - 2025

Wilma Papke

May 18, 1928 - February 28, 2025

Wilma Papke, 96, of Grand Island, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at CHI Health St. Francis, surrounded by her children. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 6th, at 11:oo a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Adam Snoberger will officiate. The burial will take place at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Peace Lutheran Comfort Dog Ministry. Condolences can be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Wilma was born on May 18, 1928, to Julius and Hattie (Kaiser) Scheer at their home in Chapman, NE. She grew up in Chapman on the family farm. She went to school through 8th grade and continued to help her father on the farm. Later she worked at Grand Island Bakery where she met her future husband, Arthur Papke. They married on January 12, 1947 in Worms, NE. Arthur started his own business called Arts Refrigeration in 1955. Wilma answered the phone and was his bookkeeper while also being home to raise their three children. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was a Sunday school teacher for 27 years. She enjoyed playing pitch, reading and putting puzzles together. Wilma was a breast cancer and leukemia survivor. Arthur passed away in 2004. Wilma lived alone at home until the age of 92. She then moved to Chrysalis for two years. For health reasons she moved to Lebensraum where she lived until her passing. The last four years is when she became friends with Eddie, the comfort dog, who she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three children, Sharon Wehling of Omaha, Cindy Tonniges of Doniphan, and Harlen (Vicki) Papke of Grand Island; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four siblings, Robert, Harold, Lilly, and Ester; and two sons-in-law.