Wilma Perschke

Wilma Perschke, age 86, of Mayville, passed away peacefully at her home with her loving son, Klaus, by her side.

A funeral service for Wilma will take place on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville with Rev. Dr. Mark G. Cutler officiating. Visitation for Wilma will take place at the funeral home in Mayville on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow the service at Graceland Cemetery in Mayville.

Wilma was born the daughter of Gottlieb and Sofia (Blumhagen) Timm on October 21, 1937, in the small village of Ciucurova, Romania. Upon the outbreak of WWII, Wilma, her mother, and siblings had to flee Romania in the dead of winter via horse drawn wagons to occupied Poland. In the aftermath of the WWII, Wilma, her mother, and siblings ended up in what became East Germany. On November 17, 1947, they were able to escape and end up in Offensen, West Germany, where they were reunited with Gottlieb, who had managed to survive the war.

Wilma was confirmed in Offensen in 1955. The whole family immigrated to the United States on October 9, 1956. They were able to immigrate to the United States by the efforts of the Church World Service, Lowell United Methodist Church, and their pastor Gordon Sorenson, as well as a very good hearted Clyman area farmer, Mr. Alvin Adams.

Wilma initially started working at Aunt Nellies canning factory in Clyman. She met her husband Gustav in Watertown, Wisconsin and they were married on June 13, 1959, at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Mayville. They eventually moved to Mayville where Wilma began working at Mayville Metal where she worked for over 30 years until her retirement.

Wilma enjoyed her many trips back and forth to Germany and loved to visit her family and friends. Her last trip back to Germany was in 2019 with her brother when they visited the area of eastern Germany where they had previously lived.

Wilma also very much enjoyed German music and dancing. She was a very big fan of Harry Kosek and The Red River Boys and followed them throughout the Midwest.

Wilma will be deeply missed by her son Klaus Perschke; daughter Susanne (Timothy) Mooney; grandson Jacob Mooney; brother Albert (Stacey) Timm; and sister-in-law Mary Perschke. Wilma is further survived by Sue Timm, other relatives, and friends.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Gustav; brother Herbert; other siblings in infancy; and other family and friends.

A very special Thank-You to Hillside Home Care and Hospice for making sure Mom’s last days were as comfortable as they could be.

A very heartfelt Thank-You to Valorie Zielinske who had been there for the last year and a half and who made sure Mom’s last days were filled with kindness, compassion, dignity, and a sense of humor. Mere words cannot express my gratitude.

Liebe Mutter.