Wilda J. Gilchrist

June 19, 1934 - January 16, 2022

Wilda J. Gilchrist, 87, of Hampton, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City. Wilda was born June 19, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, to Waldo and Violet (Drake) Williams. Violet passed away on April 1, 1941. Waldo married Anna (Beck) on May 2, 1942. Wilda graduated from York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois in 1952. She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids in June 1956. On May 19, 1956, she married Lawrence B. Gilchrist in Villa Park, Illinois. After completing his Air Force Service in Neah Bay, Washington and graduating from the University of Iowa Law School, the family moved to Hampton in August of 1960. Wilda was employed by the Hampton-Dumont School District for 29 years as a secretary and library aide. After retirement she volunteered at the Franklin County Historical Society and the Hampton Public Library. She was a member of the Hampton United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School for a number of years, was church historian, a member of Leah Circle and Leadership Council. She was also a member of the Franklin County Historical Society and Acorns of Oaks Mother’s Club. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, cross-stitch and reading. When her children were younger, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother and assisted with Girl Scouts. Wilda is survived by her son, Lawrence W. (Louise) Gilchrist, Hampton; daughters, Margaret Gilchrist (Derek Heckelsmiller), Belleville, Wisconsin; Julie (Scott) LaPerre, Plano, Texas; Betsy Koeter, Dripping Springs, Texas; grandchildren Josh (Jenn) Kenaley, Mt. Vernon, Wisconsin; Mary (Alex) Paddock, Austin, Texas; Kate (Kevin) Sopha, Lodi, Wisconsin; Ben Gilchrist, Hampton; Alyssa Koeter, Raeford, North Carolina; Rachel Koeter, Dripping Springs, Texas; Natalie LaPerre, Chicago, Illinois; and Ian LaPerre, Plano, Texas; great-grandchildren, Addyson Rose and Delaney Mae, Lodi, Wisconsin and Ewan Alester Paddock, Austin, Texas; sisters-in-law, Barb Williams, Eagle Point, Oregon; Jane LaRocque, Montreal, Canada, and Sara McPeak, Englewood, Colorado; and nieces and nephews. Wilda was preceded in death by her father Waldo, mother Violet, step-mother Anna, husband Lawrence in 1994, brother Bruce Williams, and in-laws Lawrence and Genevieve Gilchrist. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hampton United Methodist Church, Franklin County Historical Society or the Hampton Public Library. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2022, at the Hampton United Methodist Church, with burial in the Hampton Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Counsell Woodley Funeral Home in Hampton. Wilda’s service will also be available on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3670133488?pwd=aklFRHVkRFNoUHlzRHJkWXQzczRwUT09 Meeting ID: 367 013 3488 Passcode: Wjgil22 The Counsell Woodley Funeral Home of Hampton is caring for Wilda and her family.