Wilma Lorene Nielsen-Schroeder

1924 - 2024

Wilma Lorene (Baker) Nielsen-Schroeder, 100, of Peru, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at Manor Court of Peru.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, August 5, 2024 at Emmaus Lutheran Church, McNabb with Rev. Robert Kinas, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Hennepin. Visitation will be held 9:30-10:50 AM Monday at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Lostant.

Wilma was born February 29, 1924 in Rutland to Delbert and Ruth (Arndt) Baker. She married Runnard A. Nielsen. She later married Willard Schroeder and then Kirby Chapman.

Wilma left school in the ninth grade to help care for her ailing mother. She went on to be a caregiver her entire life and was also able to obtain her GED. She also worked in food service and retired as the head cook at St. Margaret's Hospital in Spring Valley. She served as Hope Township Supervisor. Her greatest joy was being a farm wife, mother and grandmother.

Wilma was a member of Emmaus Lutheran Church, McNabb, a lifetime member of Magnolia American Legion Auxiliary, and she volunteered at the Illinois Veterans Home, LaSalle for 20 years. Wilma loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Carribean.

Survivors include four children, Judith (John) Soulsby of Ottawa, Jim (Terry) Nielsen of Warren, Joyce (Mark) Wright of Georgetown, and Jerry (Jill) Nielsen of Magnolia; 12 grandchildren, Joe (Connie) Soulsby, Jack (Stacey) Soulsby, Ruthanne (Todd Boe) Chapman, Rosemary (Phil) Walker, Cara (Craig) Dobernecker, Todd Nielsen, Kristina (Andrew) Baumann, Kevin (Samantha) Wright, Katie (Miles) Chiotti, Alan (Emily) Nielsen, Rebecca (Kyle) Hanks, and Kyle Wright; 17 great-grandchildren, Jacey, Monica, Mitchell, Drew, Kelsey, Emily, Madilyn, Adelina, Aleia, Arabella, Elianna, Iner, Runnard, Engeline, Elsie, Charlotte, and Otto; three great-great grandchildren, Vincent, Vittoria, and Denver; one sister, Hetta Grasser of Peru; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three husbands; her parents; seven brothers, Calvin, Edwin, Delbert Jr., Melvin, Richard, Dale, and Kenneth; and two sisters, Myna and Esther.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Illinois Veterans Home, LaSalle.

The online guestbook may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.MuellerFH.com.