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Wilma Althea “Willie” Zummak Anderson

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Birth	:	22 Jun 1918 Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	27 Jul 2016 Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.6805992, -91.9356003
Inscription	:	Daughter of Arnold & Ida Zummak Parents of Alan Marshall & Audrey Ann
Description	:	Wilma Althea "Willie" (Zummak) Anderson (1918 - 2016) Wilma Althea Zummak Anderson passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia on July 27, 2016, with her children by her side. She lived a long, amazing life of 98 years, and will be remembered by her many friends and relatives for her humor, artistic talents, enduring faith, and continuing delight in trying something new. Wilma was born on June 22, 1918, during the height of the First World War, to Arnold T. and Ida A. (Bahe) Zummak, in Oelwein, Iowa. She was the eldest of four sisters. Growing up in... Read More	Wilma Althea "Willie" (Zummak) Anderson (1918 - 2016) Wilma Althea Zummak Anderson passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia on July 27, 2016, with her children by her side. She lived a long, amazing life of 98 years, and will be remembered by her many friends and relatives for her humor, artistic talents, enduring faith, and continuing delight in trying something new. Wilma was born on June 22, 1918, during the height of the First World War, to Arnold T. and Ida A. (Bahe) Zummak, in Oelwein, Iowa. She was the eldest of four sisters. Growing up in the Great Depression, Wilma learned lessons in frugality that she would carry throughout her life. No food was wasted in the Zummak household; still-wearable shoes got cardboard inserts when the soles became worn; and scraps of paper were folded and saved to be used again. Wilma was graduated from Oelwein High School in 1935. After high school she worked as a soda jerk at Schuchmann's Pharmacy and could whip up a mean cherry coke. Soon after America entered the Second World War, Wilma started working at First National Bank in Oelwein, where she became the assistant cashier. As with many members of the Greatest Generation, WWII was a central event in her life. During the war Wilma volunteered for many scrap and salvage drives, rolled bandages for the Red Cross, and as part of the USO, served coffee and donuts to servicemen passing through Oelwein on troop trains. Wilma often said she could hear the train whistle in the nearby town of Stanley, take a bath, get dressed, and be at the station in Oelwein to serve the troops. She was extremely proud of the Red Cross pins she earned for her many hours of service. The late Thirties and WWII years also brought other kinds of enduring memories for Wilma. In later life she reminisced – always with a glowing smile – about all the Big Band performers who came to Oelwein. Wilma spent many happy times at the Coliseum ballroom dancing the night away. She also enjoyed taking the train to Chicago with her sister Arlene and other friends on weekends for hours of shopping on State Street. During the War, Wilma corresponded with Hilbert "Andy" Anderson, who was serving overseas with the Army in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. They had begun dating in high school, with outings as varied as playing tennis and going to shoot rats at the city dump. Wilma and Andy were married on July 11, 1948, two weeks after he was released from the Army after nearly 4 years in hospitals recovering from serious wounds. Wilma – "Willie" as Andy and many relatives called her – moved to Postville with Andy in 1949 to open Anderson's Clothing Store, which was a fixture "On the Corner" of Lawler and Williams for 29 years. Before building their home, she and Andy lived for a number of years in an apartment above the store, sharing good times and kids with lifelong friends Paul and Marian Schutte, and Wilma's sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Curt Thiele. Wilma and Andy were proud parents of son Alan and daughter Audrey. Wilma did everything for her kids. She was always there when they needed her, throughout their lives and hers. Wilma also thoroughly enjoyed spending time and having fun with her special "honorary" grandchildren: Amy and Jenny Thiele; Eric and Betsy Thompson; and Carter Sprogis and Katie Parsons. Wilma was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville for over 60 years, serving faithfully in Ladies Aid and other volunteer activities. As an adult, Wilma became an accomplished painter. She was a proud member of the Nisse Rosemalers and participated in many activities with the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah. She also learned to weave baskets, and loved photographing summer sunsets at the lake in Minnesota. Wilma always enjoyed traveling, an interest that began with a trip she took by herself in 1940 to New York City, Washington, DC, and Canada. With Andy and the kids she enjoyed summer vacation travels throughout the US, as well as several trips to Sweden. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Lois Stebbins; and her loving husband of 46 years, Andy. Survivors include her son Alan and his wife, Ann; daughter Audrey; sisters Arlene Thiele of Waverly, IA, and Mardene Zummak of southern California; many beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and dear friends. Memorials may be directed in her memory to the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, IA, or the USO (uso.org). Published in Oelwein Daily Register on July 30, 2016

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Wilma Althea “Willie” Zummak Anderson's memorial?
Wilma Althea “Willie” Zummak Anderson's memorial is located at: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Fayette County, USA.
When did Wilma Althea “Willie” Zummak Anderson death?
Wilma Althea “Willie” Zummak Anderson death on 27 Jul 2016 in Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Wilma Althea “Willie” Zummak Anderson's memorial?
Latitude: 42.6805992
Longitude: -91.9356003

Family Members:

Parent

Arnold T Zummak

(1893 - 1967)

Ida Louise Bahe Zummak

(1894 - 1952)

Spouse

Hilbert Emil “Andy” Anderson

(1917 - 1994)

Siblings

Arlene Ardith Zummak Thiele

(1921 - 2018)

Lois Zummak Stebbins

(1928 - 2006)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Old Catholic Cemetery
Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6728000, -91.9169000

2. Oakdale Cemetery
Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6732000, -91.9164500

3. Oran Township Cemetery
Oran, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6571999, -91.9721985

4. Otsego Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6467018, -91.8778000

5. Floral Hills Memorial Gardens
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6293983, -91.9103012

6. Kint Cemetery
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6357994, -91.8799973

7. Saint Marys Cemetery
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6164017, -91.8983002

8. North Amish Cemetery
Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6171989, -91.9832993

9. Fontana Cemetery
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6046982, -91.9052963

10. Fairbank Cemetery
Fairbank, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6421200, -92.0473900

11. Calvary Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7663994, -91.9860992

12. Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery
Oran Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6472015, -92.0575027

13. Stanley Cemetery
Stanley, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6371994, -91.8146973

14. Long Grove Cemetery
Maynard, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7708000, -91.8766000

15. Kier-Union Cemetery
Fairbank, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5833000, -92.0161000

16. Saint Peter Lutheran Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7863998, -92.0028000

17. Hope Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8027992, -91.9610977

18. Green Wood Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7768000, -92.0423000

19. Amish Cemetery
Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5689011, -92.0224991

20. Garden Prairie Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7310982, -91.7647018

21. Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Bremer County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7080994, -92.1211014

22. Center Grove Cemetery
Randalia, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8185997, -91.8756027

23. Union United Methodist Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8185100, -91.9992100

24. Saint Michaels Cemetery
Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5532990, -92.0614014