Wilma Gibbens
Obituary
Wilma A. Gibbens, 89, died on Saturday
(May 19, 2018) of a long battle with cancer and congestive heart
failure at Homestead Assisted Living Respice Care in Halstead.
Wilma was born Aug. 31, 1928, to John
M. Toms and Winnie Belle (Evans) Toms in Arkansas City. She attended
Arkansas City schools until her move to Newton.
On March 10, 1948, she married Ralph
Eugene (Gene) Gibbens. They were married for 42 years before his
passing.
Wilma worked as a customer service
assistant for varied stores in the Newton area. This included J.C.
Penny, Hogan's, Horns Jewelry, cake decorator for Dairy Queen and an
Avon representative. She was active in the Ladies Eagles, volunteered
for the Humane Society, belonged to the horseless carriage club,
participated in the Great American Race and attended the First United
Methodist Church.
Wilma was a strong-willed, caring
person who enjoyed working with the public and loved all kinds of
animals. Wilma loved to sing, pheasant hunt, sew, garden, cook, do
crafts and plant flowers. She taught her children how to sew and cook
and she made excellent pies, cobblers and dumplings. She was a mother
with unconditional love and was proud of all her children and
grandchildren.
Wilma was preceded in death by her
husband, Gene; parents, John and Winnie; brothers: John, Bobby, Jimmy
and Dewery; sisters, Nadine and Dorothy; sons: Lewis Sr., Farley and
John Ralph; and daughter, Rhonda Hudson.
She is survived by one brother, Cleo;
son, Ernest Gibbens; daughter, Janis Bernd and spouse Russel;
grandchildren: Lorie Howe, Steven Gibbens, Chabrun Bernd and spouse
Lyndsey, Chelsea Bernd Burch and spouse Brian, Christine Bernd,
Jessica Gibbens and Lewis Jr.; and great-grandchildren: James Howe,
Austin Howe, Hayleigh and Karsyn, Taylor Bernd and Cassie Noah.
A memorial service will be held at 2
p.m., Saturday (June 2, 2018) at the First United Methodist Church of
Newton.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers
that donations be made to the designated memorials. The memorials are
for: Janis Bernd-Wilma Gibbens Funeral Fund or River Cross Hospice
Care of Wichita. Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
