Wilma I "Billie" Vis

Wilma Irene Vis, age 96 of Brandon, was called to her heavenly home on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Marvin’s Manor in Brandon, WI, surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at Bethel Reformed Church, 305 W. Main Street, Brandon, with Pastor John Tilstra officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Mound Cemetery in Waupun.

Wilma’s family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, June 23, from 5 – 8 P.M. at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 W Main Street, Waupun, and on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the hour of services.

Billie was born on August 1, 1917 in Lela, OK, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Beeman) Baggett. She was the last survivor of their ten children. Billie moved to Wisconsin to work as a nanny and housekeeper. On August 31, 1938, she was united in marriage to Bernice “Bernie” Vis in Waupun. Billie farmed with her husband in the Brandon area for many years. She worked seasonally for the Fairwater Canning Company. She was a hard worker and when her husband could not farm due to poor health, Wilma took over the operation. She loved her family, remembering every birthday and anniversary with her fantastic memory, and also praying for her entire family every day.

Billie enjoyed telling jokes and playing games, especially scrabble which she always won. She also had a card club and taxied many of her friends around town. In her later years, she volunteered at the Waupun Senior Center, helping out with the noon meals. Billie was a self taught harmonica player, an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Billie was a longtime member of Bethel Reformed Church in Brandon.

Billie is survived by seven daughters: Frances (Cliff) Kalupa, Berlin, Norma Coburn, Fairwater, Doris (Roger) Miller, Tennesee, Nancy (Dennis) Witthun, Cambria, Linda Darnick, Waupun, Arlene (Allen) Abel, Milwaukee, and Sally (Duane) Kok, Brandon, two sons: Earl (Julie) Vis, Wisconsin Rapids, Barry Vis, Brandon;

35 grandchildren, John (Chris) Kalupa, Bernie Kalupa, Tessie (Sterling) Sewell, Katie (Mark) Broderick; Mary (Tom) Pollesch, Cyndi (Paul) Gundersan, Steve Coburn, Tim Coburn (friend Jenifer), Lori Jensen (friend Jeremy); Debra Gehrke, Susan (Tom) Lewis, Rhonda (Scott) Radtke, Roger (Cheryl) Miller, Jr., Tammy (John IV) Matthews, Dennis (Sheri) Witthun, Jr., Jeffrey (Tanya) Witthun, Brett Witthun, Mark (Lisa) Witthun, Matthew (Erin) Witthun; Holly (Ryan) Lombardo, Lisa Darnick (Mark Forster), Al Abel (friend Kyla), Amy Abel (friend Kevin Haas); Jennifer (Nick) Redeker, Vanessa (Steve) Slager, Adrienne (Noah) Saber, Adam Kok (friend, Jennifer) Megan Kok (Charlie Beau) Jared Kok; Jessica (Jason) Miller, Annie (Mike) Naker, Ben (Merideth) Vis; Andrew (Jessica) Vis, Mitchel (Jenna) Vis, Anthony (Becky) Vis,

Sixty great-grandchildren: Melissa, Jenna and Kelly Kalupa, Samantha and Garrett Sewell, Josephine and Kayla Broderick, Lisa Pollesch (fiance, Nate) Ryan (Aubrey) Pollesch, Jonathon Bock, Mathew Imel, Rebecca (Jessie) Zaleski, Samantha (friend, Lou) Courtney, Kayla, and Josh and Justin Gundersen, Kristen Jensen (Friend, Jeff), Erin and Jake Coburn; Troy Gehrke, Erica Lewis, Garrett and Griffin Radtke, Jake and Rylie Miller; John V, Logan and Emma Matthews, Ryan Witthun (fiancé, Dusty Arnett), Gunner and Preston, Kora and Kylee, Kendra, Meghan, Lexus and Emerson Witthun, Donovan Lombardo, Allen Abel, Cherish Swaims, James Rainer, Jacob, Morgan and Jayden Redeker, Josie, Cade, Bennette, Ryker, and Madoc Slager, Lola and Gretel Saber, Natalie and Madison Miller, Logan and Julia Naker, Christian Vis; Tenley, Grady and Griffen Vis, and two great-great-granddaughters: Jaylynn and Aurora. Several nieces, nephews and friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by Bernie Vis, her husband of nearly 50 years in 1988, a daughter, Marilyn Miller, a grandson in infancy, Larry Miller, two sons-in-law: Don Darnick and Tom Coburn, seven sisters: Agnes Grennell, Elsa Lassman, Neva Smith, Lola Van Loo, Cleo Brinkman, Edith Swonger, Dorothy Leberak, and two brothers: Harley and Rolland Baggett.