Wilma Genevieve Staats was born on July 2, 1928 in Woodward, Okla., to G.G. and Mary Jane Staats. She passed away on May 5, 2021, at her home, in Colby.
Wilma spent most of her childhood in Woodward, moving to Oklahoma City as a teenager where she graduated high school.
In 1947, Wilma attended McPherson College where she met her future husband, Paul Dell. They married on June 6, 1948 in Oklahoma City.
She and Paul moved to Beatrice, Neb., and operated a dairy farm for eight years. In 1956, Paul and Wilma moved to Colby and lived south of town where they continued their farming operation.
Wilma loved being a farm wife and helped with all the farm chores. She would cook for the harvest crews, drive tractors and tend to the children, all in a day’s work.
Wilma was very involved in the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed square dancing, sewing, knitting, canning, and playing cards. One of Wilma’s biggest challenges in life was overcoming the loss of Paul on April 28, 1972.
On Jan. 6, 1979, she married Erwin Thiele. Wilma became involved with the Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in the LWML.
Later in life, Wilma enjoyed collecting coins, traveling, reading, gardening, bridge club and quilting. She became quite the antique collector and enjoyed finding unique collectibles.
She was active in the family farm until she could no longer participate. Her greatest love of all was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family was her greatest joy and she loved being with them all!
She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; two sisters; her husbands; one son-in-law, and one great-granddaughter, Mallory Woolf.
She is survived by her five children, Paula Makings (Bill Alexander) of San Diego; Susan Woofter (Jay) of Colby; Peggy Barton (Jerry) of Colby; Brent Dell (Shari Roling) of Lake Elmo, Minn., and Becky Kizer (Tracy), of Julesburg, Colo.; five step-children, Wayne Thiele (Marlit), Gerald Thiele (Linda), Lynn Thiele (Debbie), Janette Rangel (Dan) and Ron Thiele; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a private family graveside service per her request. Interment will be at the Beulah Cemetery, Colby.
Memorials can be made to the Thomas County Community Foundation, sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO BOX 391, Colby, KS 67701 or online, for suicide awareness and prevention, at www.imalive.org.
For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com