Wilma Irene Fecht, 90, of Carthage, passed away at 8:26 AM, Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Red Maple Care Center in Carthage.

 

Wilma was born July 14, 1930, the daughter of Ora and Edgel Smith.  On June 11, 1950, she was united in marriage to William Fecht at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage.  They celebrated 70 years of marriage last year.  He preceded her in death in December.

 

During her life, Wilma worked as a homemaker and also helped on the farm.  She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage, serving as a Sunday School teacher and for many years on the Kitchen Committee.  She enjoyed sewing and quilting and was an active member of the Trinity Sewing group, helping the group make quilts for world relief.

 

Wilma loved to quilt for her family as well, and one of her quilts is registered with the State of Illinois Museum’s Illinois Quilt Research Project.  When the spools of thread she used in her lifetime are totaled, she literally sewed miles and miles of stitching.  Wilma also loved to write and send letters and cards to friends and relatives.  A card itself was not enough, but always needed a written note as well.

 

Wilma is survived by three children, Sandra Fecht of St. Paul, Minnesota, James Fecht of Falcon Heights, Minnesota and Robert (Shellee) Fecht of Carthage; a grandson, Wyatt Fecht of St. Louis; and LeAnn Schofield-Fecht who held a special place in Bill and Wilma’s life for many years.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law Berneita Smith, Carthage, and numerous nieces and nephews

 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; and 5 siblings: Gilbert Smith, Elvyn Smith, Fern Sather, Ruth Walker, and Rolland Smith.

 

Private family funeral services will be held at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage with burial to follow in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.  The family strongly requests no flowers but rather that Wilma be honored through memorials.  Memorials may be directed to either the Maple Grove Memory Care Center in Carthage or to the Trinity Lutheran Church Sewing group.