Wilma Arlene Dockter Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wilma Arlene Hagrman Dockter was born in rural Hamilton County Aurora, Nebraska on June 7, 1917 to first generation Swedish immigrants Esther Otillia Lenstrom Hagrman and Charles Henry Hagrman, and passed away February 8, 2013 at Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 95 years 8 months and 1 day. She was educated in the Aurora schools through 10th grade when she had to quit school to help support her family. She was employed at Gale Studios in Aurora as a photographer and touch up artist. She met Elmer Dockter at Sutton, Nebraska and after he served his country in the Pacific theater in the Navy, they were married September 15, 1944 at Geneva, NE. She accompanied him to New York, Boston, and New Orleans until his honorable discharge in 1946 when they returned to Aurora, Nebraska. They also lived in Ravenna, Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska and Geneva, Nebraska. Wilma always regretted not graduating from high school, so at the age of 72 she graduated from Southeast Community College in Lincoln with her GED. After graduation she encouraged and tutored many younger students to follow her example and get their GED. Wilma was a self taught pianist, and accompanied for her church and the junior choir. She was a frequent volunteer at Food Net in Lincoln, NE when she lived there. She had many other hobbies and talents, including baking breads and cookies for holidays, making jams and jellies, crocheting, knitting, tatting, quilting, singing harmony. She made the best lemon meringue pie on earth and she always succeeded with any new recipe. She had a natural sense of humor and encouraged her family to always do their best in whatever they tried. When she was able she made gifts for birthdays and Christmas and having lived through the depression, the gifts were frequently wrapped in newspaper in lieu of "bought wrapping paper. After Elmer retired they were privileged to travel together to several states including Hawaii. Wilma was a loving housewife and mother. She taught her children to enjoy baking, sewing, singing, to make do with what you have and to help people. She loved to have friends and neighbors in for coffee. Wilma had a strong faith in her Savior Jesus Christ and reflected His love in her daily living always willing to help another whenever needed. She enjoyed attending church and listening to the choir, attending Bible studies and she read her Bible daily. She was a member of Geneva United Methodist Church and Geneva VFW auxiliary, past member of Laughs a Lot extension club Ravenna, Ne, Past Girl Scout Leader and 4-H leader, Ravenna, Ne, and Handmaids crafting club Lincoln, Ne. She was preceded in death by parents, sister Ethel Collamore, brothers Cecil and Carl Hagrman and triplet sons Brian, Allen and Clark Wilma is survived by her husband Elmer of Geneva, son Larry (Susan) of North Manchester, Indiana, daughters Linda (Norm) Bartunek of Camdenton, Missouri, Donna (John) King of Ravenna, Nebraska, Nancy Stapleton of Lincoln, and Carol (Scott) Voss of Lincoln, Nebraska, Grandchildren Amy Dockter, Nathan (Janelle) Dockter &Sara Dockter, IN, Jeff Bartunek Lincoln, NE Jenny (Art) Arrieta Camdenton, MO, Matt (Myra) King, Micah (Lauren) King Ravenna, NE, Brooks Goeden Lincoln, NE Brian (Kristen) Voss Lavista, CA. Breanna Goeden Broken Bow, NE Greatgrandchildren-Olivia,Zoe & Isabella Dockter, Andy &Madison Dockter, Novey & Avran Arrieta, Will Bartunek, Becca, Laura, Sam & Joseph King, Mason & Ian King, Jacoby Goeden, Brooklyn Tallon, and many nieces and nephews. Wilma was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She had a contagious smile, a wonderful sense of humor and was the heart of her family. Funeral services for Wilma will be Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Geneva, Nebraska. Interment will be in the Geneva Public Cemetery. Visitation will begin Tuesday, at 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 2:00 until 4:00 at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska. Memorials are directed to the United Methodist Church.

Tributes

Wilma Arlene Dockter

June 7, 1917 - February 8, 2013