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Wilma Butterworth Obituary
Wilma Butterworth, age 88, passed away Monday, May 4, 2009 of heart failure at Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka, CA.
Wilma was born December 15, 1920 in Gruemau, Texas to Leona and Otto Warmuth. The family moved to California in 1922 and settled in western Fresno County where they farmed cotton. Wilma was the eldest of 6 brothers and sisters, Herbert, Werner, Margo, Leon, and Tedra. She graduated from Tranquility High School in 1938.
During World War II, ‘Willie’, as she was known, went to work in a defense plant in Redwood City until she enlisted in the Air Force and served in a military hospital in Long Beach. Wilma moved to Eureka in 1945 living with family friends, Thelma and Henry Westgard, where she was introduced to Fred Butterworth. Wilma and Fred were married in Fresno on Dec. 28, 1946 and returned to Eureka to clear a lot and build a small cottage at the corner of Russ and "T" Streets in 1947. Their son Mark was born in 1956.
Wilma had many jobs in Eureka including baiting crab pots for Henry on the F/V Rogue, working for Way Freight Lines, Western Plumbing, C.B. Electric, Crocker Bank, Bill Beasley’s, Bank of America, and part-time for her brother at Leon’s Muffler Service until her stroke in 1981. Fred passed away in 1997. Wilma moved into the care home ‘Especially You’ on Henderson Street in 2008 where she was treated very kindly by Amanda and her staff. The family gives special thanks to Whitney Hartman, her personal friend and private caregiver the past few years. Thanks also to Dr. Leer and all the staff in his office. Wilma was blessed with special neighbors Norma, Marcie, Darrell, Donna and Don.
Predeceased by both parents, her brother Herbert Warmuth and sister Margo Crabtree of Santa Cruz.
Wilma is survived by her son Mark Butterworth, daughter-in-law Susan and granddaughter Sarah, all of Santa Clara, CA, her brother Werner Warmuth and sister Tedra Martin, both of Fresno, her brother Leon Warmuth and his wife Elaine, of Eureka, and her sister-in-law Eva Warmuth, of Fresno, and many nieces and nephews.
As both were veterans, Wilma will be laid to rest next to Fred in the Military section of Ocean View Cemetery. There will be no funeral service per her wishes. Memorial donations may be made to the garden fund at Sequoia Park.
We will all miss her sense of humor and the tasty cookies she made.
Arrangements were under the care of Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka
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Memories and Condolences
for Wilma Butterworth
Janice Mast
May 27, 2009
Dear Mark, my sincerest condolences for the loss of your mother. (I grew up on the corner of Henderson & T.)
Dale Warmuth
May 15, 2009
I for one will think of Aunty Wilma as the practical joker, the bookkeeper of dad's ( Leon ) and one of the breakfast club at T-Bone's restaurant, back when she work for BofA. O how miss those days
Judy Warmuth
May 14, 2009
Dear Mark
Will miss my Aunt Wilma, when she and Aunt Margo and my Mom Eva Warmuth used to get together the stories they told. I laughed so hard I cried. Love Judy Warmuth
karen Warmuth
May 14, 2009
Dear Mark,
As cousins we rarely get a chance to
talk, except at times like this. Your mom was a greatlady and Mom and I will miss her and her letters. love Aunty Eva and Karen Warmuth
Candy Warmuth
May 14, 2009
Auntie Wilma was always the funniest, kindest person. I have always thought of her with the fondest of memories. She leaves those memories for us to cherish. I thank her for those.
Floyd & Sandy Hecker
May 10, 2009
We only had the opportunity to meet and visit with Wilma a few times, but felt she was a kind wonderful lady.
Please accept our condolences.
R, M, J, and Mom Wilkins
May 9, 2009
We will light a candle and offer our prayers to the family.
Dixie & Howard Rien
May 9, 2009
Rest in peace dear lady, It was a pleasure to know you.
Dick and Betty Lovie
May 8, 2009
Please know we are sending our deepest sympathy and a special prayer that God above will keep you very close these days with his gentle love.
Lisa Ayers
May 7, 2009
Mark,
I was a new nurse when your mother was my first patient at General Hospital In 1981. I have never forgotten her and your father. What kind people, and how much they loved each other. I was a young girl of 21 and I still have many memories of her illness. Your father made me some things for my firstborn daughter. I know you will miss her deeply. I won't ever forget her. And the lessons I was taught. My deepest condolences to you. Not everyone is so lucky in life to have had the parents you did. I know you will miss her.
Lisa Adams Ayers RN
May 7, 2009
Mark, My heart goes out for you and your family. Your mom was a great lady. Deepest Sorrows, Elsie(Jackson) Eureka, California, May 7, 2009.
Kitty Reed
May 7, 2009
My deepest condolences to the entire family.
Mike and Marlene Greene
May 7, 2009
Please accept our deepest sympathies and may God grant you his peace.
Suzy Sicard
May 7, 2009
Mark, please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother.
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