Rhea E. Wilgers

Rhea Ellen (Happ) Wilgers, 89, died Thursday, September 17, 2015 at the Washington County Hospital, Washington. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family received friends from 6 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 22 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Palmer, KS. Rev. Tom Sahl officiated. Eunice Beier was organist and the congregation sang "On Eagles Wings," "One Day at a Time" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." Pallbearers were Bill Wilgers, John Wilgers, Jay Mall, Ben Wilgers, Don Long and Greg Mall. Burial was in the church cemetery. Rhea was born November 2, 1925 at Palmer to Andrew and Ellen (Chase) Happ. She attended grade school in Palmer and graduated from Linn High School in 1943. Rhea received her Normal Training Certificate out of High School and taught at Spring Creek School for two years. She furthered her education at Kansas State University and received additional credits and taught elementary education at the Linn School for the next two years. On June 1, 1947, Rhea was united in marriage to Calvin Wilgers at her parents’ home in Palmer. They resided in rural Washington County on the farm northwest of Linn until 1999, when they retired and moved to Linn. Rhea was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Palmer. Rhea was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her greatest joys were faith, family, friends and watching the Kansas City Royals. Survivors include her husband, Calvin; daughter, Jayne (Kenneth) Wurtz, Greenleaf; brother, Howard (Linda) Happ, Overland Park; two grandsons, Jerin (Stephanie) Wurtz, Seneca, Chad (Deanna) Wurtz, Washington; and four great grandchildren, Hailey, Derek, Danica and Austin. Preceding her in death were her parents; and son, Bradley Wilgers. A memorial fund is established in her name and will be designated by the family later. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, PO Box 157, Washington, KS 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rhea E. Wilgers, please visit our flower store.