Wilma Farmer

Wilma Farmer (Koopman), age 94, a woman of deep faith and a longtime member of Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN, passed away November 18, 2016. Wilma and her twin brother Wilbert were born June 1, 1922 in Fulda, MN. After graduating from high school in 1940, she moved to Minneapolis where she held various jobs before marrying Earl Farmer in 1945. When Earl died in 1963, Wilma faced the challenge of raising her four sons, ages ranging from 4 to 17. She worked as a seamstress, both in her home and at department stores. The quality of her work led to many loyal customers who kept her busy until retirement. Wilma always loved music. When she was young she sang with a Sweet Adelines group, and at some point, she bought a little electric organ and taught herself to play. She also loved art, and at age 80, she began to work seriously at painting with water colors and oils. Many of her family members have walls decorated with Wilma's artwork, which she continued to produce until the last few years. Wilma is survived by sons, Dave (Peg), Tom (Shari), Rick (Jan) and Kevin (Lucinda); nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Wilma, who came from a family of 10, is also survived by sisters, Marie, Norma and Lorine; brother, Del; sisters-in-law, Kathryn, Gerda and Dorothy, and many nieces and nephews.