Wilma Meinecke

Wilma Ilene Meinecke, age 84, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023, at Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa. Her funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon with Pastor Kevin Gingerich officiating. 

Burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation with family present will be from 5 – 7 P.M. on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

Online condolences may be made to the Family at www.vanderploegfunerals.com.

Wilma Ilene (Hoskins) Meinecke, was born January 7, 1939, to Roy and Myrtle (Silbaugh) Hoskins at Jefferson, Iowa. She grew up on their farm and as a girl participated in Rainbows. She attended Central Christian Church in Jefferson; she was baptized and became a member at 11. Wilma attended school in Jefferson and graduated from high school in 1957, she furthered her education by attending St. Anthony’s Nursing School in Carroll, IA, graduating with her LPN Certificate in 1958. Wilma was united in marriage to Clarence Arthur Meinecke Jr. on January 18, 1958 at the Central Christian Church in Jefferson, IA. After their marriage the couple lived in Jefferson and Wilma worked at the hospital as an LPN. The couple had lived in Paton, Gowrie and Decorah before moving back to Jefferson in 1967. Wilma was active in the 1st United Methodist Church; she taught Sunday School and was in the Women’s Circle. She was involved in her children’s activities volunteering as a Campfire Girls Leader and other. After staying home to raise her children she returned to work part-time for Sears Roebuck Catalog Store. With her children a little older she returned to nursing at the Jefferson Manor for 16 years. She retired from nursing and worked as an assistant at the Children’s Library. In 1995, the couple moved to Story City, IA and she worked as a Daycare Assistant for The Little Flock Day Care. In 2005, they moved to Sheldon, where she joined and was active in the Sheldon United Methodist Church. The couple enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, traveling and volunteering. Wilma was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2006 and fought a long, hard courageous battle with it, never complaining and continuing to be an encouragement to others. In 2018 after having a stroke, she became a resident Sanford Sheldon Senior Care until her passing on April 3, 2023 reaching the age of 84 years, 2 months and 27 days.

Wilma loved the Lord and her family above all else, she found refuge in her Bible and was an encouragement to others. She found joy in volunteering to help others and had completed a Mission Trip for Heifer International in Arkansas. Nothing brought her greater joy than seeing her great-grandchildren and being with family. She enjoyed crafting, reading and was known as an active participant at Senior Care. She had a great sense of humor and loved a good laugh. She lived a life of service to others and all who met her were lucky.

Wilma is survived by her husband of 65 years, Clarence and their 3 children, Brent (Carol) Meinecke of Mason City, IA; Thresa (Scott) Ruggles and Scott (Lori) Meinecke both of Sheldon; 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 2 brothers, Wendell and Warren Hoskins and a sister, Wanda Hade and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Wayne Hoskins and a granddaughter, Allison Meinecke.