Esther Marjorie Wilhelm

May 27, 1920 – April 23, 2021

Esther Marjorie Wilhelm, age 100, of Iola passed away Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Manawa Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for a short time.

Esther was born May 27, 1920 in the town of Lessor, Shawano Count,y Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Rebecca (Severson) Olson. Esther was baptized and confirmed at Welhaven Lutheran Church.

She graduated in 1935 from Wilson High School in Appleton, Wisconsin.

On Aug. 29, 1937, she married the late Casper Lee Wilhelm at the Hitterdahl parsonage in the town of Iola. They had five children: Donald, Beverly (deceased), Robert, Lee Allen, and Goldine. 

 She was an extraordinary lady. She helped in the sawmill, worked on their farm, operated a pickle station in Northland for 57 years, she enjoyed embroidery, helping out at the Northland Church for the Lutefisk Supper, she helped on the election board in town. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was very proud of her family and that kept her very busy with all the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries.

 She enjoyed canning pickles and at the end of the pickle growing season everyone looked forward to the Pickle Dance at Northland Ballroom, which included live music, dancing and of course the wonderful lunch she put on each year. There was a variety of sandwiches, cakes and of course the pickles she made herself.

She has been blessed for over 100 years of life and she will be missed dearly. Most of all she loved spending time with her family and staying busy. 

Survivors include: one daughter, Goldine (David) Mortenson, Iola; three sons, Donald (Paula), Iola, Robert (Janet), Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, Lee Allen (Lynn), Iola; one sister, Lorraine Kuchma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both her parents, her husband, one daughter, one grandson, one great-grandson, one sister and two brothers.

The Funeral service for Esther will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021, 11 a.m. at the Northland Lutheran Church, Iola, with Rev. Dan Somers officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola and on Saturday at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment will take place at Northland Lutheran Cemetery.

Online condolences can be given at www.voiefuneralhome.com.