Wilmyrthe Elsie Winslow

Wilmyrthe was born January 14, 1918 in Oxford Township, Isanti County, Minnesota, at home in the family farm house. Her name choice, confusing to most of us today, was chosen by the Swedish family, after the classical Swedish Goddess of Beauty. Her parents were Edward and Alma Jacobsen Hanson. She lived at the farm with one sister and two brothers, attending a one room school house (PS47) from grades 1 to 8. In the custom of the day, she moved into town with a foster family during the week to attend Cambridge High School, returning home on the weekends to perform farm chores. She graduated in 1935, winning the Babel Prize for Calligraphy (penmanship). This skill served her well in the future when creating hand written wedding invitations for family and friends.

In 1941, just before WW II broke out, Wilmyrthe moved to Woodlake, California with her cousin, Lil Erickson and Lil’s husband, Cliff. She worked for the California Department of Unemployment. One day, a handsome Firestone Store employee delivered a console radio to her apartment. Serge and Wilmyrthe fell in love at first sight, and married June 23, 1944, in Visalia. They were blessed with 2 sons, Cary Serge and Thomas Hanson. Serge worked as the Manager of the Firestone Store formerly at Court and Center Street, as a car salesman at Mahoney and O’Dell Ford, and as Director of the Tulare County Probation and Accounting Services. Wilmyrthe went on to work at Sequoia Rock Co., the American Cancer Society, attended the College of Sequoias obtaining a California State Real Estate Sales license, and finished her working career as a Personnel Relations Manager at Westinghouse Electric. She retired in March 1983. Wilmyrthe was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Visalia Heritage Foundation, Cabrillo Club and Pageant of the Arts – Laguna Beach with friend Imogene Jones Weiss. She also volunteered for the City of Visalia as a clerical assistant. She enjoyed family, politics, golf and travel including to Japan, Azores, Spain, Portugal, Alaska and Hawaii. She cared for her father-in-law, Joseph Vicente Winslow, for 14 years, and 2 nieces, Susan and Lori Hanson, for 2 years, all in her home, as a kind and generous act of love. Wilmyrthe lived in a “big yellow house” at 719 S. Court St. for 30 years, and owned a black 1967 Cadillac convertible which she drove in the Visalia St. Patrick’s Day parade for several years.

Wilmyrthe is preceded in death by husband Serge, mother Alma, father Ed, sister Carmelyte Nold and brother Glenn Hanson.

She is survived by sons Cary, Tom and wife Nancy, brother Eugene Hanson, grandchildren Wendy Hower (Justin), Christy Winslow, Amie Bigham, and Lisa Jozwiak (Charlie). Great grandchildren include Rachel and Ian Hower, Michael Jozwiak, Krysta Lassman and great-great-granddaughter Riley Reeves. Special thanks go to long term caregivers, Zulema, Lisa, Renee and Jackie and KDMC Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 from 2 – 6 p.m. followed immediately by Rosary Services at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 608 N. Church St., Visalia. Interment will follow at Visalia Public Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, should be sent to the George McCann Memorial School at 506 N Garden St, Visalia, CA 93291, (559) 627-6726.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.