Wilma Connelly

Former Waukesha resident, passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Dr. Kate Newcomb Convalescent Center in Woodruff, Wisconsin at the age of 97. She was born February 12, 1911 in Rock Island, Illinois, the daughter of Bessie and Edward Poppie. Wilma married Ted C. Connelly in the parsonage of the First Baptist Church in Waukesha on June 25, 1930. They were married 69 years. Ted and Wilma raised their family and lived in the Waukesha area all of their married years until moving to Woodruff in 1998 to be closer to their daughter. Prior to marriage, Wilma worked at the Style Shop in Waukesha. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church and the Philathea Society. She volunteered many years, visiting shut-ins at the local nursing homes. Wilma has left a legacy of love for her family. Her cookie recipes, colorful afghans and kind words will warm hearts for generations. She was commonly referred to as "Cookie Grandma", "Grandma Bird" and "Aunt Nin" to many nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by her children; Ted (Rita) Connelly Jr. of Brimfield, Illinois; Jean (Joe) Long of Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin, Joe Connelly (Angelica Francisco) of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Lynne Connelly of Rockford, Illinois. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren; Calvin (Nancy) Long of Muskego, Michael (Janet) Connelly of Peoria, Karen (Michael) Williams of Peoria, Kerry-Jo (David) Johnson of Oulu, Patti (Todd) Huson of Peoria, Kim (Will) Flower of Florida, Carolyn (Bob) Jones of Peoria, Kelly (Ray) Enriquez of Texas, Kent Long of Woodruff and Ted (Veronica) Connelly III of Peoria. She had 21 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, on September 12, 1999, her parents, one brother Norris Poppie and sisters, Gladys Scarce and Phyllis Tassell. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 3:00PM at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI. Visitation will also be held on Friday from 1:00PM until the 3:00PM funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wilma's name may be directed to the Dr. Kate Convalescent Center, 301 Elm Street, Woodruff, WI 54568. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.