EDWARDS, Wilma Ruth (Hosler) - b. December 16, 1929 - d. April 12, 2023

[patyrn]

Wilma Ruth "Willie" Edwards passed away April 12, 2023 at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas. She was born in the Fall River, Kansas area to Albert and Juanita (Brooks) Hosler.

Wilma attended local country schools in the Whitehall area. She lived with her grandparents while attending high school in Fall River, Kansas where she graduated with the Class of 1947.  On December 8, 1947, she was united in marriage to Alfred Edwards.  They lived in Greenwood County, Kansas most of their married lives.  While Alfred worked construction, Willie stayed home raising five children, caring for farm animals, and tending to a large garden almost every summer.

After Alfred's death in 1976, Wilma owned and operated a bar outside of Severy, Kansas for nine years with the help of her employees and sometimes one or two of her children.  She worked hard her entire life. She was proud of the fact that she was baptized and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Howard, Kansas.  Her family was her world, and she loved hard right up until the end of her life.

Wilma is survived by her children, Jim (Judy) Edwards of Emporia, Kansas, Larry Edwards of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Gary (Karen) Edwards of Madison, Kansas, Erline White of Severy, Kansas, and Vicki Hinkle of Severy, Kansas; one sister, Sue Bitler of Eureka, Kansas; three brothers, Harold Hosler of Eureka, Kansas, Vern Hosler of El Dorado, Kansas, and Daryl Hosler of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Alfred; four grandchildren, Shawna, Tara, and Justin Boyle and Scott Edwards; one sister, Clara Newkirk; two brothers, Buddy Hosler and Gerald Hosler; one special brother-in-law, Lewis Bitler; and two special sisters-in-law, Pauline Hosler and Ethel Hosler.

Funeral service was held on April 17, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Howard, Kansas.  Cremation took place after the service, and inurnment will follow at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, Kansas.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Brody's Park in Severy, Kansas and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)