Wilhelmina Ames of Phillipsburg, KS passed away on June 23, 2012 at the Phillips County Hospital at the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 11 days. Wilhelmina was born in rural Harlan Co. NE., to John William & Gretchen (Kampen) Wessels on Jan. 12, 1919. She was baptized May 23, 1919 in Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alma, NE. She was confirmed on April 9, 1933 in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at Stamford, NE. She attended school at District #59, Harlan Co. and graduated from the 8th grade on May 27, 1932.


On August 18, 1939, she was married to Richard Henry Ames at the Lutheran Church at Stamford, NE. To this union three children were born: Dick, Grace, and LeRoy.

The greatest joys of her life were when she and Richard were following and supporting their children and grandchildren in all their many activities, and they themselves being long time members of the Fort Bissell Saddle Club. She was always active in the family farming operation and also served as bookkeeper in the family implement business. Throughout the years she was involved in community organizations and served as a 4-H leader. During their later years, she and Richard became camping enthusiasts, spending several winters in south Texas. She continued to love camping until illness prevented her from going.

She leaves to mourn her son, Richard (Dick) and wife Hazel of Long Island, KS and her daughter, Grace Grau and husband Melvin of Phillipsburg, KS; grandchildren Rikann Webb, Rance Ames, LeRoy & Debbie Hays, David & Janelle Grau, Sheila & Ricky Solida; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters, two sisters-in-law, Grace Wessels of Lordsburg, NM and Dorothy Tubbs of Norton, KS, brother-in-law Marlin Ames and wife Velma of Salina, KS and nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a 17 month old son, LeRoy Hans on Nov. 17, 1945 and son-in-law, Victor Hays, on Feb. 19, 1970, seven brothers Wilhelm (Bill) and wife Mildred, Martin and wife Loretta, Hermann, Reinhardt (Rinnie), Enno, Hans and wife Barbara, Hinrich (Henry)and wife Twyla, and four sisters, Johanna Hansen and husband Gustav, Gretchen (Grace) Gishwiller and husband John, Christena (Tena) Rebman and husband Robert (Bob) and Elizabeth Smith and husband Francis, and infant baby sister, and brother-in-law Dale Tubbs.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, Kansas 67661, with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in the Long Island Cemetery, Long Island, KS.

Mrs. Ames will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday; 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home for visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Long Island Fire Dept., Long Island E.M.S. or Long Island Cemetery.