Irma Flora Dippold Willson

Willson, Irma F. Dippold, 98, left this earth August 26, 2017, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born May 11, 1919, at Longtown, Mo., (the 3rd of 6 children) to the Rev. Leopold F. Dippold & Irma Griebel Dippold. She grew up in New Wells and graduated from Jackson High School. She went on to graduate from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis, Mo. in 1942. She joined the Red Cross as an RN, then entered the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lt. February 23, 1943, at Camp Dodge, Iowa. She then transferred to O'Reilly Gen., Springfield, Mo., and then Camp Kilmer, N.J. to prepare for overseas duty with 316th Station hospital in England. She sailed on the Mauretania & arrived in England Sept. 20, 1943. On July 20, 1944 she left 316th Station Hospital & transferred to 104 General Hospital (appointed in the Army of the U.S. July 10, 1944). During her tour of duty overseas she met Lt. George W. Willson & they married in England on March 1, 1945. She returned to the U.S. & on July 29, 1945 she was relieved of active duty after serving 2 years & 5 months.

After her discharge she spent the next 23 years as an Air Force wife and mother, raising 4 children, traveling to various bases both in the U.S. & overseas. Her family and her church were her life. In her earlier years she enjoyed golf, bridge, and bowling as well as many church activities where-ever she was living. Her constant smile and thankfulness in her declining years was her trademark and noticed by all who met her.

Irma is survived by her 4 children, Mary E, Wynn (John) Ficzere, Wetumpka, Al, Thomas (Connie) Willson, Huntington Beach, Calif., George W. (Lynne) Willson, Jr., Tallahassee, Florida, and Patti (William) Elliott, Fort Myers, Florida.

Nine grandchildren: Bernard (Beth) Collett, Michael (Amanda) Collett, Kimberly (Scott) Burks, Kristine (Dru) Huston, Kevin Willson, Ashley (Doug) Brown, Michael (Alyssa) Willson, William (Maggie) Elliott, and Amanda Elliott. And 14 great-grandchildren. Also, 2 brothers, Hugo (Shirley) Dippold and Edgar (Lee) Dippold, Missouri. In addition, many nieces and nephews and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 55 years, a sister Evelyn Mueller, and brothers Walter Dippold and Richard Dippold.

Irma and George moved to Montgomery in 1992 to be near their daughter, Mary and Family & military facilities. After Irma's husband passed away she moved to Eastdale Estates and spent many happy years there before moving to John Knox Manor. The family would like to thank the staff of both facilities for their care and concern for Irma. A very special thanks goes to Louise Smith, Irma's loving caregiver/companion for almost 13 years.

Viewing will be Friday evening, Sept. 1, 2017 from 5-7 PM at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, Al. Funeral services will be Sept. 2nd, 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, Al. with Rev. Carey Elam & Rev. Steve Richardson officiating, followed by burial service at Alabama Heritage Cemetery, 10505 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Lutheran World Relief Organization.