Wilma (Barnhart) Petsch

Wilma Bell (Barnhart) Petsch, and her twin sister Willa Dell (Barnhart) Scott, were born to Harvey Barnhart and Irene Evelyn (Moore) Barnhart on September 6, 1932 in St. Francis, Kansas.

She grew up on the family farm and enjoyed spending time with her brothers and sisters whenever possible. Wilma graduated from St. Francis Public Schools in 1950. In 1952, she married Jess (Pete) Petsch and the newlyweds moved to Pennsylvania where Pete was stationed in the Navy. After he was honorably discharged they returned to Nebraska, farming in Stratton until moving to Lincoln in 1956. After a brief move to Superior, in 1963 Pete and Wilma settled into what would become their lifelong home, a farm east of Guide Rock, Nebraska. Here they would raise their family of four - Jerry, Joy, Jack and Jeff - and host decades of holidays, cook-outs, and horseshoe tournaments.

In addition to caring for her husband and family, Wilma found great happiness in her work as a CNA at the nursing home in Red Cloud, Nebraska, and as a member of Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. She also loved playing cards and marbles with family and friends, going to town for coffee, doing ceramics, and keeping up with everyone on the phone. Reading and classic country music were Wilma’s passions. When she wasn’t wrapped up in a good book, she spent many hours embroidering tea towels and pillow cases to give to her loved ones.

Wilma is preceded in death by her parents; husband Pete Petsch; brothers John, Jim, Jerd and Maurice Barnhart; sisters Manota Daniels and Macalene Olson; and son-in-law, Kenneth Simpson.

She will be greatly missed by her many friends and family members, including Jerry Petsch and his wife Rita, Joy Simpson, Jack Petsch, Jeff Petsch and Robbie Wademan, as well as nine grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and her twin sister, Willa Scott.

Funeral services were Wednesday, 11:00 am, November 9, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Guide Rock with the Rev. Dale Thiele officiating. Interment was at the Guide Rock Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Guide Rock Public Library.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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