Wilma Homrighausen

Wilma B. Homrighausen, 93, passed away October 1, 2014 at Country Club Estates in Paola, Kansas. She was born October 22, 1920 to Frank E. and Freida (Hopkins) Smith in Miami County. She was the second of two children, her brother, Berl, having passed away at the age of 13 from spinal meningitis. Wilma attended New Lancaster, District 1 for eight years. She graduated from Paola High School, then attended the College of Paola at Ursuline Academy and Pittsburg State University where she received her teaching certificate. She taught three years at Davenport District 101 in Miami County where she met her future husband H. G. (Bert) Homrighausen. When Bert was called to serve his country during WW II, she traveled to Elizabethtown, Kentucky where he was stationed and they were married July 18, 1943. Bert was soon sent overseas and their daughter, Rita was born while he was in Europe. After his return in 1945 the three of them moved to the Smith family farm near the New Lancaster community. Their son, Dean was born March 22, 1948. After Bert"s death in 2008, Wilma remained on the family farm until 3 weeks before her passing. Wilma was the community historian and wrote various histories of the New Lancaster community, the United Methodist church in New Lancaster, helped her husband write a history of his life and was often asked to contribute to other local histories of the Miami County area. Wilma was a lifetime member of the New Lancaster United Methodist Church, the New Lancaster Grange, Miami County HDU during its existence, the United Methodist Women"s organization and was for many years a project leader in the Sunnyridge 4-H Club. She loved the outdoors, gardening and flowers and writing special poems for those people special to her. Up until one month ago she could be found on a riding lawn mower, mowing her own yard at her home. Wilma was the church and Sunday school pianist for more than 60 years. In recent years she welcomed the assistance of Jacque Karr in that capacity. She was also the unofficial choir director in her church and loved to find songs she thought they would enjoy singing. Many Monday evenings you could find her practicing with them and sometimes they came to her at her home if the weather was inclement. Her greatest love was for family, both immediate family and church and community family. That love was returned many times over and she will be greatly missed. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, brother and beloved husband Bert. She is survived by two children, daughter Rita (Mike) Newell of Olsburg, Kansas, Dean (Patty) of rural Paola, 9 grandchildren, Travis, Christopher, Deana, Gina, Debbie, Josh, Justin, Ryan and Brianna, 14 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and friends dear to her. Memorial contributions in her name can be made to the New Lancaster United Methodist Church, or to a charity of the giver"s choice in care of the funeral home. To leave a memory of Wilma or a special condolence message for her family, please click the "Share Memories" button above. New Lancaster United Methodist Church Service: Saturday, October 04, 2014 at 10:30 AM Visitation: Friday, October 03, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM