Evelyn Frances Wiltgen, 103, of Ossian, Iowa died Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, Iowa. Evelyn was born March 28, 1917, to Henry and Margaret (Kleve) Wenthold on the family farm near Festina, Iowa. She attended Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic School, Festina, Iowa through the eighth grade.
Evelyn was united in marriage to Ralph Joseph Wiltgen on April 15, 1941, in Festina, Iowa. She was always there to help with her caring and warm personality. Evelyn was employed as a cook at the Ossian Senior Hospice for many years. She enjoyed playing cards, travel, fishing and baking. Evelyn’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was a member of Legion Auxiliary, card club, Rosary Society, Senior Citizens Club, Catholic Daughters, Den Mother for Cub Scouts and was a very active member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.
Surviving Evelyn are her children, Karl Wiltgen (Annette) of Ossian, Iowa, Rosalyn (James) DuRocher of Jackson, Wisconsin, Ellen Wiltgen of Ossian, Iowa and Jan (Patty) Wiltgen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son-in-law, Mel Bohr of Ossian, Iowa; fifteen grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; her siblings, Gregory Wenthold of Ossian, Iowa, Francis Wenthold of Ossian, Iowa, Ray Wenthold of Decorah, Iowa, Ronald Wenthold of Ossian, Iowa, Norine Drahozal of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Margaret Hanken of Ossian, Iowa.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Joseph Wiltgen in February 1982; parents, Henry and Margaret Wenthold; daughter, Mae Jean Bohr; son, Lee Wiltgen; siblings, Edwin Wenthold, Rita Wiltgen, Theckla Ott, Agatha Burke and Linus Wenthold; and daughter-in-law, Elaine Wiltgen.
Memorials may be sent to the Ossian Senior Hospice or St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.
Visitation will be held from 9-10 am on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa with Rev. Robert Gross as the celebrant. To live stream services go to Facebook.com/cfosparishes.
Burial will follow at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian, Iowa.
To protect others, due to Covid-19, we ask everyone to continue social distancing and wear a mask if you plan on attending.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the staff of the Ossian Senior Hospice, who took great care of our mother and made her stay there feel like home.