Wilma L Jolivette

Wilma Jolivette, 88 of Marshfield, died from the affects of Alzheimer’s on June 13, 2024. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Zion Community Church in Marshfield. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the church on Saturday.

She enjoyed having local obituaries read to her. It sparked a part of her brain that allowed her to recall and share the names of family members of the deceased, their birth order, who they married, where they lived relative to the home farm where she grew up, along with amusing anecdotes of growing up together near Rock Creek swimming hole.

Wilma Lenore Prior was born during a snowstorm February 5, 1936, to Calvin and Irene (Pratt) Prior on a farm 2 miles northwest of Loyal. She had three older siblings, Art (Joyce), Allan (Bunny, June), and Polly (Art, Gene). Polly survives.

Wilma’s early memories included the polio epidemic, living through the great depression, and cooking spaghetti and tomatoes with Polly when the folks were out. She also recalled the family owning two ponies: Twinkle and Billy, attending church camp meetings, working as a teenager at Grambsch’s candy store, and obtaining her driver’s license at age 14 when her dad bought the local police officer a beer.

Wilma’s first marriage unfolded in a comedy of errors. Her friend, Jerry Koschak was trying to avoid military service. At the age of 15 she went to the courthouse in Rhinelander and was able to obtain a marriage license by claiming to be 18. Jerry went to the army. The marriage dissolved.

On her 19th birthday she married Gordon Fleming in Park Falls. They had two children, Gordon John Fleming III and Spring Joy Fleming. Eventually Gordon’s spirit of adventure collided with Wilma’s sincere desire to remain close to home and family. The marriage ended in divorce. In an effort to support a family of three as a single parent Wilma worked three jobs; as an office assistant to Dr. R.L. Barnes chiropractic office in Greenwood where she demonstrated exercise equipment, scheduled appointments, and did body wraps, as a waitress at Horn’s Edgetown Drive-In in Greenwood and the Arbutus Café in Neillsville.

It was at Horn’s Edgetown Drive-In that she met her next husband, John Susa, Jr. Wilma welcomed his children Pat, Luann, Tony, and Linda into their lives. They had a daughter, Victoria Irene Susa. John died in an auto accident in September 1969.

Wilma spent the next several years raising her children, obtaining her GED at evening classes along with her friend, Dorothy Schrimper, setting up and serving Meals on Wheels, working as a unit clerk at the inpatient psychiatric department at St. Joseph Hospital, working at Stewart’s Redville Dairy, and working at Grassland Butter.

In 1981 Wilma was at a family wedding dance when she looked across the room and saw an old friend, Delton Jolivette. They were star struck and inseparable from that day on. Del and Wilma were married on March 5, 1982 at home with all their children witnessing the event. Wilma welcomed Del’s children: Charlie, Becky, Cindy, Annie, and Jamie into her life.

Delton and Wilma had a large group of friends.  They often went snowmobiling or traveling with friends.  They hosted annual New Years Eve parties with their grandsons as the most consistent attendees.  They always laughed and had a good time.

In 1983 Wilma was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a progressive and degenerative eye disease.  She did not accept the diagnosis and spent the rest of her life doing an amazing job pretending she could see.   

Wilma and Delton loved their children unconditionally.  There were many tragic events and more joyous celebrations.  They were there every time a child needed time, encouragement, a favor, a babysitter, or a shoulder to cry on.  They respected the choices their children made and did not judge.  Their door was always open.

Del died just weeks short of their 30th wedding anniversary.  Wilma moved to Cedar Rail.  During the seven years she lived there she enjoyed eating lunch at the same table with friends every day. In the afternoons she liked to visit in the community area and she was a member of a weekly Bible study.  For 12 years Wilma went to church with Vicki on Sundays followed by an afternoon of lunch and visiting at Vicki’s home.  During those 12 years Spring picked her up every “Wilma Wednesday” for shopping and lunch.  When she moved to assisted living, she loved to comment that she was the only resident there whose family took them out twice a week.

Wilma lived out her faith by praying for others.  She wore out at least one Bible.  God was always her anchor in turbulent times and in good times.  She loved to sing hymns and recite Bible verses from memory.  She was known for quirky sayings like “Finer than frogs hair” and “I’m not seeing very well today”. She waited patiently to go home to heaven.  Her passing was peaceful.  Her daughters were by her side.

Wilma’s gift was loving kindness.  She loved and was loved by many including those who she faithfully raised up in prayer including many from Zion Community Church. There were many people employed by Serenity Living, Lakeland Care, and Heartland Hospice who knew, provided compassionate care for and loved Wilma.   One of her beautiful friends shared this:

“I want you to know that my knowing her has made me a better version of me.  I believe that beautiful pieces of her are captured in all of us who knew her, and that all of us will pour some of the magic she gave us into the Universe in our words and our actions.  In this way, she will remain in this world, making our days better, brighter as she waits for us to join her.”

Wilma is lovingly survived by daughters: Spring (Nick Poeschel) and Vicki (David Foemmel).  She is also survived by grandchildren: Jeff Barum, Zach (Jenae) Parsons, Brenda (Tim) Amwoza, John (Rachel) Foemmel, and  Kim Fleming.  She was further survived by many step children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and daughters of the heart.  She was predeceased by the love of her life, Delton Jolivette, a son- Gordon John Fleming III, and two granddaughters, Jackie Barum and Annie Fleming. 

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