Wilma "June" Smith

Wilma June Smith was born in Ruskin, Nebraska on July 6, 1929. She was the oldest daughter of Valentine Harvey (who was born on Valentine’s Day) and Edna Anna Roselda Spohnheimer Linnemann . (Now that’s not a very common name). She had one sister, Betty Lou McKevitt.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband Richard, parents, Valentine and Edna Linnemann, and granddaughter Ashlee McCormick. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Scott McCormick, son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Sheila Smith, sister, Betty McKevitt, four grand- children, Jennifer and husband Jason Truman, Kristyn Smith, Matthew and Lindsay McCormick and Fiancé James Simpson, and five great grandchildren, Blake, Makenzie and Madison Truman and Jacob and Brooke Lewis.

Wilma lived on the family farm in Ruskin where she was born and attended the country school. Everyday Wilma rode her horse “CAPITOLA” to school. Up to the end of her life she would be able to tell you the name of her horse “CAPITOLA”. Wilma attended junior high and high school in Nelson, Nebraska but the family moved during her junior year and she graduated from Superior High School in 1946. Wilma loved to dance and attended a lot of High School and Social Dances with her girlfriends. Shortly after she graduated Wilma moved to Grand Island and worked at the Ammunition Depot. It was there she met her husband of nearly 53 years, Richard Lee Smith. They married on December 3, 1954 in Dumas, Texas. Then they moved to Dalhart, Texas for a short time where Richard worked in construction. It was in Dalhart where their daughter, Brenda Joan, was born. Wilma and Richard then moved to Wichita in 1955 and in 1956 they had a son Michael Lee.

Throughout her years, Wilma did some babysitting and worked in retail. She also worked at Midland Industries for 13 years where she assembled metal shelving. After the company relocated to another state, Wilma worked for a brief period at the Best Western in housekeeping. When she reached 65 she decided it was time to retire. But she didn’t. She went on to clean houses for some neighbors. And if that wasn’t enough, she would make her daily brisk walking around the neighborhood, after she cleaned houses . Her daughter couldn’t even keep up with her. You see Wilma June was not one to sit still. She always had to be doing something.

Wilma enjoyed gardening and canning and putting puzzles together with her husband. One of their favorite past time was playing cards together. Every Saturday night it was a family tradition the kids and grandkids would come over and play cards. Wilma loved being surrounded by her children and grandchildren. They were the joy of her life!

Brenda remembers her and Mom would venture out for a few hours or more and shop shop shop. Not that Wilma bought too much but she enjoyed just having Mother and Daughter time and so did Brenda. After shopping they would stop and grab a bite to eat and take something home to Dad who was waiting for his dinner. When the grandkids were young, the two of them would go out on Black Friday and hit the stores at 6 or 7 AM to get those special buys. Wilma loved going to Brenda’s kids sporting events and was one of their biggest fans and enjoyed cheering them on. They made several road trips to Hays and Emporia to watch her granddaughters track competitions. She was the perfect travel companion. Brenda also got Mom to become a KU Jayhawk fan which didn’t sit well with brother Mike as he was a K-State fan.

Mike remembers Mom calling every Saturday night asking him if we were going to church in the morning. Mike and Sheila would go by and pick her up for church and she always had a big smile on her face and say “Good Morning” when she got in the car. She would ask how the grandchildren and great grandchildren were doing. After church, Mom enjoyed going out for breakfast. She always noticed that Mike would finish his meal first and then she would say “Well I hope you’re not in a big hurry because I have to finish my coffee”.

Wilma lived her last 3 years of life at Newton Presbyterian Manor due to a diagnosis of Dementia. Brenda and Mike promised her that every week they would come and take her out to eat in Newton. She looked forward to that and always had that big smile when they came to pick her up. They kept that promise till the very end and will cherish those memories forever. The Manor staff loved her and shared the following comments: “She was a HOOT”, “she will definitely be missed”, “she was a special lady”, “she always had that big smile”, “she was ornery”, “she was a caring lady and loved her kids so much”, “she stayed up late hours with the staff keeping them on their toes.

Dear Mom: We know these last few years have been very difficult for you. Watching you gradually decline with Dementia, it took a part of you away from us that you will never know. We know the Angels are on their way to take you “Home”. So as we say our last Goodbye, “We Love You Forever Mom”.

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Smith, Wilma J., 89, passed away January 22, 2019 at Newton Presbyterian Manor with family by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 53 years, Richard Smith; her parents, Valentine and Edna (Spohnheimer) Linnemann and granddaughter Ashlee McCormick. She is survived by her children, Brenda (Scott) McCormick and Michael (Sheila) Smith; sister, Betty McKevitt; 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 10:00am, Monday, January 28, 2019 at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Hwy 54, Wichita, KS 67209. Memorials may be made to Newton Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund, 1200 E. 7th, Newton, KS 67114.