Wilma K. Buhnerkempe

Wilma K. Buhnerkempe, 90 of Effingham, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Monday, November 4, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis with burial in St. Francis Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to the time of mass, Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial donations be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Wilma was born February 18, 1934 in Island Grove, the daughter of Walter and Veronica Pals. She married Laverne E. Buhnerkempe on April 16, 1955 and he preceded her in death on July 31, 1994.

Wilma was a graduate of Effingham High School and worked at The Medical Clinic in Effingham. After her first child was born, she became a stay at home mother. Wilma was very active in the religion education ministry and the music ministry of St. Francis Church. She was also very active in her early years with Meals-on-Wheels and was an Election Judge for many years. Wilma was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis, the St. Francis Council of Catholic Women, and the Effingham Area Decolores.

Wilma is survived by her sons, John (Barbara) of Chatham, James (Karen) of Effingham; daughters, Jeanne Althoff of Effingham, Mary (Robert) Drury of Yellow Springs, OH, and Anita (Robert) Broom of Effingham; 12 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 3 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Alice Ungrund and brother-in-law, Larry Buhnerkempe.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Karen Lucille Buhnerkempe; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and John Pike; brother-in-law, Ed Ungrund; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Arthur and Irene Buhnerkempe; sister-in-law, Lucille Buhnerkempe; parents-in-law, Edward and Agnes Buhnerkempe; niece Linda Root, and nephew, Robert Pike.