Wilma Mae Dixon Leidholt was born October 28, 1932 and died January 14, 2020 at the age of 87 years. She was born in Ekalaka, MT but lived most of her life in Miles City, MT. She enjoyed going back to the family ranch in Ekalaka during summer vacations where she spent many happy hours on her horse Dolly herding sheep. She lived in Vancouver, WA for two years during World War II when her dad worked as a welder in the shipyards. She attended Miles Community College for one year and then taught at the Fairview one room country school. It was there that she met her future husband when he helped dig her car out of a snow drift. She returned to school and received a teaching certificate from WMCE in Dillon and then taught for a year at Forsyth Elementary school before she and Edwin Leidholt were married on June 18, 1955.
She was busy as a homemaker with four children and tended a big garden and helped on the farm. She could be found helping her children with their various 4-H projects and serving as the treasurer for Kircher Schools while her children were growing up. Later, she went back to work as the secretary a Garfield Elementary School. She was there for 20 years and enjoyed the students and staff that she got to know during that time.
The last few years she lived with her oldest daughter in Oregon and then at an assisted living center in Mollala OR.
She is survived by her children Karen (Allan) Bruner, Chery (Kirk) Stimson, and Shalene (Mike) Sparling and grandchildren Rachael Davenport, Kirstin Bruner, Megan Bruner, Nicholas Stimson, and Nate Sparling, great grandson James Davenport and brothers and sisters-in-laws and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Mary Dixon, her husband Edwin Leidholt and her son Ron Leidholt.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held February 1, 2020 at 11 am at the First Baptist Church in Miles City, MT.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 1, 2020
First Baptist Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 1, 2020
First Baptist Church
Miles City, MT 59301
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Morris and Evelyn VanCampen says
If we are very, very lucky in this life we are blessed to have friends like Wilma. This happened to our family in 1965 when we moved to Miles City. Wilma and her dear family were our neighbors and nicer, kinder people could not be found. Wilma was always there to help when our girls were born, emergency babysitting, just anything –Wilma was always there. And that definitely included a fresh pie or loaf of bread many, many times. Later on she became the best secretary that the new Garfield School ever had. The kids loved her and she was always so helpful and competent making life easier for the teachers and principal. Our thoughts and hearts are saddened at this news but we so treasure our precious memories we have of our friend.
Morris, Evelyn, Gerald, Heidi and Christy VanCampen
Pam (Moths) Nisley & Dave Nisley says
Mr. VanCampen, Such a lovely tribute to your friend! I don’t believe I knew her, but your sharing gives us a glimpse of a delightful woman! Yes, you and your family are/were blessed. Unrelated….I remember you as a wonderful teacher, oh a few years ago 🙂 May Our Lord Jesus Christ bring comfort to this dear woman’s loved ones, now and in the months to come.
Sincerely,
Marj Bolejack Anderson says
Shaleen
So sorry for your loss. I remember well all I time I spent at your house as kids and your Mom was the best. Such a sweet and loving lady. Cherish your memories.Love ya
Donna Leitholt-Taylor says
So sorry for your loss
Jessie Leidholt says
Many years ago I had the good fortune to become Wilma’s sister-in-law. What a blessing that was, she taught me so much by example. Jim and I am so sorry that she has left us but we know that she is rejoicing being with her Heavenly family. She had a wonderful faith to behold. Hugs to all of her family. Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Jessie.
Pam Rogge says
My thoughts and prayers are with Wilma’s family at this time. I worked with Wilma many years ago at the School District and will treasure those memories.
John Scheuering says
Wilma touched so many lives at Garfield School. She was such a kind and gracious person.
Gary Shaw says
Psalm 116:12-15 ESV
[12] What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? [13] I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, [14] I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. [15] Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. May they receive a double portion of comfort.
James Leroy Arneson says
What an amazing Lady. I worked with Wilma at Garfield school for years. Always a positive attitude and a smile. Rest in peace my friend.
Kristi Rebsom says
Going to Garfield School as a kid, she was the kindest school secretary ever! Heaven gained a very sweet lady.
Sherry L. Oster says
To Wilma’s loving family;
I was lucky enough to get to know Wilma while I was teaching in Miles City. She was a true gem and loved by many. Such a kind, caring lady! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Sherry Oster
Bonnie Boggs says
TO HAVE A FRIEND LIKE WILMA WAS A SPECIAL GIFT. SHE WAS SUCH A FINE LADY AND SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER. MY DAYS AS A TEACHER AT GARFIELD WERE ALWAYS MADE SPECIAL KNOWING THAT WILMA WAS IN THE OFFICE. HER READY SMILE, SENSE OF HUMOR AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP MADE THE DAY SPECIAL. GOING TO HER HOUSE EACH YEAR TO HELP HER CELEBRATE HER BIRTHDAY, AFTER SHE HAD RETIRED, WAS A TREAT I LOOKED FORWARD TOO. WHEN SHE MOVED I MISSED HER. I WILL ALWAYS HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES TO HOLD IN MY HEART. REST WELL, WILMA, AS YOU WALK WITH THE ANGELS. ❤️
Shannon & Bryan Holmen says
Wilma was such a delight to Garfield school and to our kids particularly. She held many a child’s sick hand and always a sympathetic voice on the phone. We loved her as our neighbor in the valley. She will be missed. Our prayers.
Judy Loucks says
I thank the Lord that we here in Molalla, Oregon were blessed to get to know Wilma, even if it was for such a short period of her life. Her friendly smile and humble attitude was refreshing. She was always willing to lend a hand at our church potlucks and help out with Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. I loved watching her interact with her granddaughter Megan. Such a special time and such a special lady. She will be missed but I know she is so happy with her Lord!
Cara Willson says
Wilma was a dear soul. I always enjoyed our visits. When I was a substitute teacher it was a happy day to get a call from Garfield school. Our lives became entwined when we found out we shared the same Carter County roots and we also attended First Baptist Church together. Her passing leaves a huge hole in so many lives but Heaven truly gained an angel and she is now sporting that halo that we all knew she had! Cherish your memories.
Jonette Doeden says
Wilma was such a blessing to so many. She truly made people around her better people just by being her. What a special gift. I will forever cherish my memories of her at Garfield, picking apples, and eating treats at her house. She kept things simple and lived as we all should. What an honor to have known her.
Jonette Balsam Doeden says
Wilma was such a blessing to so many. She truly made people around her better people just by being her. What a special gift. I will forever cherish my memories of her at Garfield, picking apples, and eating treats at her house. She kept things simple and lived as we all should. What an honor to have known her.
Kimberly Feil says
What a special woman, it was a blessing to have had her in my life.! It was always a joy to see her smile when I walked into Garfield in the morning. Staff & students, we all knew we were in good hands with Wilma in the office. Rest with the angels, treasured lady.
Jan Munroe says
Wilma wrote my paychecks as clerk of Kircher School and was a parent of one of the students there, Shalene. What a lovely lady with whom to work. Later I would see her at Garfield when my city students went to the library, always with a sweet welcoming smile. Well done God’s loyal servant.
Steven Carter says
Wilma loved God and she loved people, and she made keeping those commandments look much easier than they actually are. “Salt of the Earth” gets thrown around pretty freely when someone passes, but when used to describe Wilma the phrase is absolutely accurate.
Joe & Ginger Weiss says
Wilma was a very close friend of my mother, Grace Weiss, for many years. She was so kind and helpful all of the time to my mother. She truly was a kind, loving and gentle woman. With prayers and sympathy.
Laurie Carter Poitra says
Wilma was like another mother to me. Wilma and my mother, Audrey were like sisters. They rode their horses together on the family farm and worked hard and gathered wild flowers and interesting rocks and loved life. Wilma encouraged us all to live a life for our Lord but she was not preachy about it. Wilma was with me the morning our beloved Grandmother passed away and we cried together sitting on the couch in early morning. My Grandma, Jessie Hamilton was Wilma’s Grandma also. Wilma made us all feel loved and cared for. She made us special Birthday cakes and every Christmas and Easter she made the best food we ever tasted. A visit to Wilma’s house was always fun. She also helped parent us at times. I remember that Karen who is younger than me didn’t have to take naps but I (having some sort of long term illness) had to take a nap each day. We hid one day in the lilac branches and didn’t come out when my Mama and Wilma were calling our names. Wilma found us and relieved that we were okay gave us a little spank. It didn’t hurt but we knew we should never hide again. Knowing Wilma and being with her was a gift for me as a child growing up. She was a wonderful mother and friend. She loved babies and I am so glad that she got to hold my first Grand child when she was tiny. It was a Blessing for Wilma and a blessing for me. It is sad for us all to not have Wilma with us but I know she is gloriously happy up in Heaven with Edwin and Ronnie and my Mama, Audrey and Aunt Mary and my sister Melody and many others. And I bet there are horses up there to ride and love and a good puppy dog too! And above all else we will get to climb up on Father God’s big lap and get hugged.
Jan Alexander says
My sincerest sympathies are with you at this time. Wilma was a very special lady. She was employed by us in the 1980s printing our weekly newspapers. She was very conscientious and easy to work beside. I regret I will be out of town on Saturday to share more memories with you. Sincerely, Sagebrush Publications, Jan Alexander
Gail Sommerfeld says
Wilma was a wonderful presence at Garfield School and I’ll never forget her beautiful spirit. A life well lived.
saba ayman-nolley says
My heart is full of wonderful sweet memories of WIlma- my husband, Charles Nolley’s cousin. Her home was always one that our three children looked forward to visit when in Miles City to spend time with their grandparents. Wilma always had yummy fresh food prepared and lincoln logs and other toys and books for the children to feel happy and occupied. Then she would join them on the floor to play or read with them. In earlier years, it was at her farm that we learned how to milk a cow, a story our city children were proud of and so was I. Wilma and I shared our love and passion for children and education and always had hours to chat about…. Miles City visits will never be the same without her and the world will miss a great passionate and compassionate care taker of all humans. With love and prayers for her and her three dear daughters (and their families). Saba
Natasha Leidholt says
Aunt Wilma was such a wonderful woman and always made me feel so loved! My family will miss her dearly and always look to her as an example of how to show love and kindness.
Craig, Sandy, & Emily Casterline says
What a joy to know Wilma even if only during her years in Oregon. The moment you caught sight of her at church, you couldn’t help but smile. She was one you naturally looked forward to seeing and you knew you could depend on her being there. She was a woman you could learn from just be watching her with her quiet faithful service, her delight to help, her humble and gentle manner. Her words were encouraging and always kind. She always saw the good in others and believed the best of them. May we all be a little more like her. We need more kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness in the world. We were very blessed to know you, Wilma. We will join you in His presence before long. Blessings and comfort to all her dear loved ones, she so enjoyed speaking of you and your accomplishments.