MADISON - Wilma E. Turk of Madison passed away Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Nazareth House in Stoughton, Wis., where she had been living since April 15, 2022. She was 97 years old.

Wilma was born at home on March 22, 1925, to Henry and Erma Ketelboeter. On May 27, 1943, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Turk, and they were married almost 78 years before Ken passed away in 2021. They set up household in their first home on the Turk family farm and in 1948 they left the farm and moved into Mazomanie where Wilma was a homemaker and beautiful seamstress for friends and family.

In 1955 the family moved to Mauston where they lived for 11 years. Wilma continued her love of sewing by making all of Eileen’s clothes and many of Jack’s throughout high school and her baking, often telling everyone that there hadn’t been a loaf of store-bought bread or rolls in the house for years.

After moving to Madison in 1966, Wilma began her 26-year career waitressing in the coffee shop at the Ramada Inn where she was honored many times as employee of the month. She was well known for her welcoming smile and ability to surprise customers with her knowledge of speaking German. In 1972 Ken and Wilma purchased the house of their dreams on Lake Monona and lived there for 50 years. After she retired at age 70, Wilma and Ken spent many hours volunteering for neighborhood projects, especially those involving Esther Beach. Willie and Bud, as they were known to family and friends, loved sharing their home and special lake view with everyone lucky enough to visit.

When Wilma could no longer be cared for at home by son, Jack, she moved to Nazareth Health in Stoughton. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Anderson, Nazareth staff and Agrace HospiceCare for their help and caring.

Wilma is survived by son, Jack Turk; daughter, Eileen Koch; grandchildren, Lori Winders and Robbie Benson; step-grandchildren, Dan (Jody) Koch, DeLynn (Troy) Sjodin and Dawn (Zack) Larsen; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents, Henry and Erma Ketelboeter; father and mother-in-law, Ream and Mabel Turk; sister, Bernita (Harris) Bollenbach; brothers, Merlin (Dorothy) Ketelboeter and Ralph Ketelboeter; brother-in-law, Donald (Ellen) Turk; sisters-in-law, Esther (Marvin) Niendorf, Deloris (Curt) Witte; son, Larry Turk; son-in-law, Frank Koch; and great- grandson, Ethan Larsen.

A combined service for Wilma and Kenneth will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. Friends and family who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may do so by visiting Wilma’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and clicking on the Watch Webcast link at the time of the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Wilma E. Turk

March 22, 1925 - January 12, 2023

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