Wilma Jean was born November 12, 1925, in Cassville, Missouri to William Truhitte and Mary Ella Oakes. She grew up helping her mom and dad work on their farm. For many years, they didn’t have running water and she would carry water from the creek.
As a girl, she went to school in a small, one-room schoolhouse with a wood burning stove. During high school she played piano in church, and was a member of the school marching band. She graduated from Cassville High School in 1943, during World War II. She received a scholarship to attend Draughon Business College in Springfield, Missouri. After graduating the following year, she worked full-time as a clerk in the office of the Barry County AAA Committee for two years.
Wilma Jean knew Harry Bush since they were kids. They attended the same high school and became close. Before Harry left for the war, he proposed to her, and she said yes! When Harry mailed his parachute home, she cut it up, and sewed it into a beautiful dress. Wilma Jean and Harry were married June 9, 1946, just two months after he was discharged.
When she wasn’t working in her huge vegetable garden, she was planting flowers, canning, knitting, sewing, or quilting. She was an amazing cook and was constantly baking pies, which would almost instantly disappear. She led her church choir for decades, hosting elaborate musical plays and concerts. Above all, she was a passionate student of the Bible, and led the Women’s Bible Study at Open Door for over twenty-five years.
Some of her best-known phrases were; “I’ll swan!”, “Heavens to Betsy!” and “Mercy sakes alive!” She will be remembered as a strong, caring, warm woman who laughed easily, and was a mother to everyone who knew her. She is deeply loved and admired.
Wilma passed while sleeping comfortably, in bed at home, on New Year’s Eve morning. She is survived by her husband Harry Bush, and their three children: Kanda Narciso, Tina Smetana and Steve Bush. She has seven grandchildren: Jeremiah Barber, Kristine Cole, Joshua Barber, Amber Bush, Alexandra Carter, Max Bush and Rem Elan Cameron. She has four great-grandchildren: Dean and Aleia Cole, Grace and Rhett Carter, and a new great-grandson Barber expected this May 2023.
Funeral services for Wilma will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112. A graveside will occur Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, KS 66048. A visitation will occur Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-butler.com for the Bush family.
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