Mary E. Wilhelmi

Mary E. Wilhelmi, 89 of Devils Lake formerly of rural Starkweather, ND died on Wednesday evening, August 15, 2007 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with burial in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. The Rosary will be led by Mary Hoffart. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Mary will be her sons, Charles Duane Wilhelmi, Jack Wilhelmi and Thomas Wilhelmi, son-in-law, Jack Gaa and Mary’s grandsons, Bradley Wass, Bryan Wass, Robert Burley, Scott Ludwig, Justin Gaa, Brian Yager, Charles Paul Wilhelmi and Michael Dyer. Reading the Scriptures will be Linda Gaa and Justin Gaa Gift Bearers will be Mary’s Granddaughters, Brenda Carter, Barb Price, Tina Stoeser, Amanda Gette, Courtney Holden, Samantha Wilhelmi and Kahla Dyer. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster, soloist and Audrey Myklebust, organist Mary was born on March 28, 1918, the daughter of Jack and Katherine (Mitzel) Steffan in the Devils Lake area of Ramsey County, ND where she also was raised and educated. Mary was united in marriage to Charles H. Wilhelmi on June 17, 1940 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, rural Webster. They lived, farmed and raised their family in Sullivan Township, retiring in November of 1981. They moved to Devils Lake but continued very active and involved in the farming operation. Charles died April 19, 1994. Mary continued to make her home in Devils Lake. Mary was a former member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and the Altar Society and after moving to Devils Lake a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Altar Society and the Infant of Prague Circle. She was a Starkweather 4-H Club Leader for 2 years, member of the Webster Community Homemaker’s Club, VFW Auxiliary and the Eagles’ Auxiliary. Mary was an avid gardener and joyfully canned her produce and shared the bounty with her family and friends. She had an especially “green thumb” when it came to growing moss roses. She enjoyed playing cards whenever family and friends got together. Mary and Charles had almost 54 years of marriage and worked together side by side and devoted themselves to raising their family, but a favorite pastime for them was being a part of “Polka Party” every chance they got. They were the envy of many couples old and young as they would Polka across the dance floor. May Mary now rest in God’s peace. Mary is survived by her children: Patricia Larson of Orchard, Nebraska Charles Duane Wilhelmi and his wife, Leni of Elko, Nevada Catherine F. Wilhelmi of Devils Lake Jack Wilhelmi and his wife, Kathy of Starkweather, ND Linda Gaa and her husband, Jack of Fargo, ND Thomas Wilhelmi and his wife, Val of Devils Lake Donna Dyer also Devils Lake Fifteen Grandchildren, Seventeen Great Grandchildren, and Three Great Great Grandchildren Sister: Elizabeth Schall Brothers: Frank (Pat) Steffan and Phil (Irene) Steffan all of Devils Lake Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; son, Robert; granddaughter, Hannah Dyer; son-in-law, George Larson; brothers, Peter and Conrad Steffan and sister, Pauline Zimmer.