Wilma P Dettinger

ONALASKA - Wilma Dettinger was born at the family home in Harmon, Okla., on Aug. 2, 1938, to Homer Lee and Thelma Faye (McClung) Gifford. She passed away at home in Monona, Wis., on Sept. 10, 2024.

She grew up in the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, and southern Kansas as the nature of her father’s work in ranching required frequent moves. She graduated from Higgins High School in Texas in May 1956 and moved to Amarillo, Texas where she worked as a secretary. In the fall of 1956, she met Robert “Bob” Dettinger, an Airman in the United States Air Force who was born and raised in Galesville, Wis. They eloped and were married on April 8, 1957, to allow Wilma to accompany Bob to his next assignment in Waverly, Iowa.

Bob remained in the Air Force for the first several years of their marriage.  During this time, they made their home in Iowa, Upper Michigan, Woodward, Okla., and Madison, Wis. They also had two children, Karen and David.  Bob was discharged from the Air Force in 1963, and they settled in Onalaska, Wis., to raise their family. Wilma came to love the area eventually calling it home as she lived there for nearly 60 years.  She loved and was committed to her family and friends. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren as well as a wide network of friends.  

Throughout her life Wilma brought a high level of energy and commitment to perfection that carried through her personal life, work career and volunteer activities.  She worked for over 28 years at Kmart in La Crosse, Wis., and later for Klein Insurance, and M&I Bank. Wilma was an active volunteer in retirement. She served for many years with the Women’s Auxiliary at the American Legion in Onalaska serving as the Chaplain for the Auxiliary and receiving the Friend of the Legion Award.  She was also heavily involved in the Legion’s dinner fundraisers where she was well known for her gravy.  In addition to her devotion to the American Legion she volunteered at the United Methodist Church in Onalaska and was active in the Red Hat Society. Wilma and Bob also enjoyed traveling together including an Alaskan cruise, vacations in Branson, Mo., and a trip to the Smoky Mountains in addition to frequent trips to see family and friends in Oklahoma and Texas.

Wilma was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Bob; parents; brother, Lloyd Gifford; and one sister, Thelma Sunderland.  She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Bob Witt); son, David (Diane Andersen); and grandchildren, Christoper Jolly (Justine Wolden), Alex Dettinger (Irelyn Danz) and Emily Dettinger (Sean Durian); sister, Etta Baumgartner; sister-in-law, Darlene Dettinger; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at ONALASKA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 212 4th Ave. N., Onalaska, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, with a luncheon to follow at church. A visitation will be held at church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Onalaska American Legion or the Onalaska United Methodist Church in the name of Bob and Wilma Dettinger.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420