Wilma Combrink

Wilma Jewel (Emmele) Combrink was born on August 9, 1920 at home in Hazelton, Kansas, the third child of Sebastian George (Ross) Emmele and Sylvia Jewel (Rule) Emmele. Wilma passed away on December 2, 2017 at the age of 97 years old.
On July 1, 1941 Wilma was united in marriage to David O. Combrink in Medicine Lodge, Kansas at the Methodist Parsonage. They were married for 68 years when David passed away February 16, 2010. While David was serving our country during WWII, Wilma continued to work at the Hazelton State Bank, later the Farmer’s State Bank, in Hazelton and lived with her parents. On October 26, 1942 their daughter, Carmen, was born. David was discharged from the service in November 1945, shortly after Carmen’s third birthday. Their son, Dennis was born August 26, 1947.
Wilma and David began farming the family farm upon his return from the service and farmed until 1992 when they started having health issues and assistance was needed. They lived on David’s Home Place from 1949 to 1979, moving to Kiowa at that time and living there until 2010 when David passed away. Wilma has lived at the Attica Long Term Care Facility for the last several years.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David; brother, Buford Emmele; sister, Wynema James; granddaughter, Joy Diann Combrink; nephew, Bruce Emmele; niece, Denise Emmele.
Wilma is survived by her daughter, Carmen (Dr. James) Stoneking of Plattsburg, Missouri and son, Dennis (Jeanne Ann) Combrink of Katy, Texas; grandchildren- Shelley (John) Wolfe, Gina (Ken) Leake, Michael Combrink, Donna (John) Juhl, Robin (Jeremy) Moore, Scott (Ellen) Combrink and Ryan Combrink; great grandchildren- Kyle and Kaitlyn Wolfe, Abby, Madison, Mallory, Gabriel, Marjorie and Emmele Leake, Sarah, Emma, Elizabeth and Seth Juhl, Lauren, Joshua, Matthew and Rebekah Moore, Noah, Micah, Isaiah, Eliyah and Josiah Combrink; nieces- Shari Nicholas, Gayla Reed, and Linda Wheelock, nephew- Kent Emmele.
Wilma attended school in Hazelton, Kansas and graduated from High School in 1938. She was active in school activities being a cheerleader for 4 years, learning to play tennis in the eighth grade and was District Champion her senior year. She also enjoyed playing softball. Wilma loved to sing and started singing solos when she was two years old in church and continued to sing for weddings, funerals, church choir, solos, duets, and quartets, including Christmas and Easter Cantatas. She was a collector of many things: stamps, coins, bells, thimbles and spoons. Wilma was a beautiful hand quilter and made quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as other people in the community. She also enjoyed quilting with a group at the church and at the Senior Center.
Wilma was a very loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother with her life centered around her family. She was always involved in her children’s activities being a Community Leader in the Kiowa 4-H Club and supporting her children in other activities in which they were involved. As grandchildren and great grandchildren came along she and David would travel to see them in their activities as they were able.
Wilma loved to travel and David and she traveled to England, Switzerland, Monaco, Bahamas, Spain, Morocco, France, Germany, Venezuela and Mexico with various Farm Groups as well as seeing many states in the U.S. Wilma was a member of the Randolph Loving Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in Wichita and attended meetings there for many years holding some offices. She was very proud to be in this organization since she was an avid Genealogist and had researched her family and David’s family tree back several generations and traveled throughout the United States tracing records and visiting family.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Lanman Funeral Home Chapel in Kiowa, Kansas followed by graveside services at Kiowa Riverview Cemetery.
Wilma will be greatly missed by her family. We would like to thank the Attica Long Term Care for her care the last several years. Memorials may be made to Attica Long Term Care, Kiowa United Methodist Church or Barber County 4-H Foundation through the funeral home.