Wilma Gibbens

Life Sketch for Wilma A Gibbens

Wilma A. Gibbens, 89, died on May 19, 2018 of a long battle with cancer and congestive heart failure (CHF) at Homestead Assisted Living Respice Care in Halstead, Kansas.

Wilma was born August 31, 1928 to John M. Toms and Winnie Belle (Evans) Toms in Arkansas City, Kansas. She attended Arkansas City schools until her move to Newton.

On March 10, 1948 she married Ralph Eugene (Gene) Gibbens.  They were married for 42 years before his passing.

Wilma worked as a customer service assistant for varied stores in the Newton area.  This included J.C. Penny’s, Hogan’s, Horns Jewelry, cake decorator for the Dairy Queen and an Avon representative. She was active in the Ladies Eagles, volunteered for the Humane Society, belonged to the horseless carriage club and participated in the Great American Race,
and attended the First United Methodist Church.

 Wilma was a strong willed caring person who enjoyed working with the public and loved all kinds of animals. Wilma loved to sing, pheasant hunt, sew, garden, cook, crafts and planting flowers. She taught her children how to sew and cook and she made excellent pies, cobblers, and dumplings. She was a mother with unconditional love and was proud of all her children and grandchildren. Wilma was a strong willed caring person.  Wilma was preceded in death by her husband: Gene; parents: John and Winnie; brothers: John, Bobby, Jimmy, Dewery; sisters: Nadine, Dorothy; sons: Lewis Sr, Farley, John Ralph and daughter: Rhonda Hudson.

She is survived by one brother: Cleo; son: Ernest Gibbens; daughter: Janis Bernd and spouse, Russel; grandchildren: Lorie Howe, Steven Gibbens, Chabrun Bernd and spouse Lyndsey, Chelsea Bernd Burch and spouse, Brian, Christine Bernd, Jessica Gibbens, Lewis Jr.; great grandchildren: James Howe, Austin Howe, Hayleigh and Karsyn, Taylor Bernd and Cassie Noah.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 2^nd, at the First United Methodist Church of Newton. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the designated memorials. The memorials are for: Janis Bernd-Wilma Gibbens Funeral Fund or River Cross Hospice Care of Wichita. Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.