Wilma Elizabeth Klitgard (nee: Eternicka), age 76, of Amery passed away on August 9, 2013 at Willow Ridge Healthcare in Amery, finally succumbing to injuries sustained in a car accident in October of 2010.
Wilma was born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin on January 28, 1937 the daughter of William and Lillian (Langley) Eternicka. She grew up in Rhinelander. On March 30, 1961 she was united in marriage to Henry Klitgard Sr. They lived in Cumberland and Deer Park before settling at a home in rural Amery. For many years she was a stay at home mom, encouraging her children to be active members of their community. During the 1980's she became a cashier at the Townmart in Amery leading to a promotion to manager. After the passing of her husband in 1999 she retired and helped raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the Amery area. She also became an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery where she enjoyed teaching the children in her Sunday school classes. After her accident in 2010 she became a resident of American Heritage Home in Hammond, Wisconsin and this past May she moved to Willow Ridge Healthcare in Amery to be closer to her family. The loving care of the staff at both facilities is greatly appreciated by her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband Henry Klitgard Sr., son Billy Wickham, grandson Robert M. Wickham Jr., parents William and Lillian Eternicka, brothers: Joseph, Anton, Carmen, Francis, Emery and Lloyd. She is survived and missed by sons: Bob (Jenny) Wickham of Wichita, KS; Tom (Rose) Wickham of North Pole, AK; Ken (Ruby) Wickham of Rhinelander, WI; Dennis (Marsha) Wickham of Rhinelander, WI; Dan (Colette) Klitgard of Amery, WI; Greg Klitgard of Rhinelander, WI; and Henry (Jenni) Klitgard Jr. of Amery, WI, step-daughters: Roberta (Ray) Thiesen of Chico, CA; Amber McIntyre Barnes of Rhinelander, WI; Joanne Wolosz of Beavercreek, OH; Beth Nichols of Fort Worth, TX; foster-daughter Karen (Dan) Clark of Cameron, WI; sisters: Mary Ritchie of Rhinelander, WI and Theresa (Bruce) Wilson of Elkhart, IN; 30 grandchildren; 50 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and countless other relatives and friends.


Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery. There will be a time of visitation on Monday, August 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery.