Wilma Fenske

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Wilma Teresa Fenske, age 99 years 11 months and 29 days, passed away the morning of October 29, 2025, at Cox Monett Hospital with her children by her side. Wilma was born on October 31, 1925, on the Miller Farm southwest of Monett, Missouri. She was the youngest daughter of Anton Henry and Catherine (Weikart) Miller. 

She was united in marriage on May 2, 1945, to Eugene Anthony Fenske at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They were married 63 years before his passing on November 5, 2008. Wilma was a devout Catholic and life-long member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City. She was the last surviving class member of her Saint Mary’s graduating Class of 1939. Wilma was a farm wife and mother to four children. 

Survivors include: Tom (Margie) Fenske of Verona, Virginia Lavigne (Bob White) of Monett, and Linda Fenske of Wentworth; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and twenty-three nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Catherine; her husband, Eugene; her son, Jim Fenske in 2000; siblings, Bernard Miller, Frank Miller, Father Lawrence Miller, O.S.B., John Miller, Stella Velten, and RoseAnn Abramovitz; and seven nieces and nephews. 

Father Sanoop Thomas, pastor of St. Mary’s Church will lead a rosary for the departed soul of Wilma on her 100th birthday. Rosary will be at 3:00 PM on October 31, 2025, at Lakin Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 4:30 PM. Funeral mass will be Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City, Missouri with Father Sanoop Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Pierce City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made, in memory of Wilma, to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.