OBITUARY: Wilma A. Biwer

Wilma A. Biwer, 97, of Fish Creek, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018.

She was born sept. 14, 1921 in Baileys Harbor, the daughter of the late Gardner Sr. and Theresa (Schram) Orsted.  Wilma graduated from Gibraltar High School in the Class of 1939.  She was united in marriage with Joseph Biwer Sr. on June 30, 1945 at the St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Baileys Harbor.  The two of them had their four children before he preceded her in death on Aug. 7, 1971. 

While Wilma was raising her children, she wore many hats – she worked as a housekeeper for Village Green and was an apple and cherry picker all over Door County.  On Dec. 1, 1973, she married Flavian Zak at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church and they spent two years together before he preceded her in death on May 4, 1976.  Wilma then married Michael Biwer on Oct. 28, 1978 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church.  The two enjoyed traveling and visited 46 states together.  Michael preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 2001.  Wilma worked as a lunch server for Gibraltar Public Schools, retiring only after serving lunch to all of the grandchildren who attended.  She danced her way through life and enjoyed gardening, flowers, and baking.

 Wilma will be missed by her children, Joseph (Janet) Biwer Jr., Judith (William) Smith, Timothy (Penny) Biwer, and Jeffrey (Eileen) Biwer, all of Fish Creek; grandchildren, Wade and Craig (Jessica) Biwer, Melissa (Clint) Raynier, Heather (Jim) Steineke, Leah (Amy) Biwer, Cole Biwer, and Tanner Biwer (Becca Hembel), Brock (Rhonda) Biwer, Jami Biwer (Sam Klampe), Adam Biwer (Alyse Freeman), and Tyson (Kate) Biwer; great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Alex, Lamyra, Chloe, Patrick, Willa, Carter, Sawyer, Kassidy, Presley, Joseph, and Megan; sisters, Joyce Hussong and Joni Slaby (Dennis McGrath); sisters-in-law, Pat Orsted and Rita Mallnory; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Joseph Biwer Sr., Flavian Zak, and Michael Biwer; brothers and sisters; and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Wilma’s life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Stella Maris Parish – Baileys Harbor site, where Wilma was a lifelong member, at 11 am, on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.  She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:30 am until 10:45 am on Friday at the church.

 “Our family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staffs at the Scandia Village and Unity Hospice for all of their care and compassion.”

Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Wilma’s family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.