Wilma Pearson

Return to Class of 1943

Wilma Pearson04/28/2017
Wilma Faye (Pearson) Hollingshead, age 91, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away April 28, 2017, at her residence in Knoxville, Iowa. Visitation for Wilma will be held from 12:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., on Monday, May 1, 2017 at Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville. Wilma’s family will be greeting family and friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Knoxville at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, May 2, 2017 with Pastor Brent Hanna officiating. Wilma’s family would like to invite family and friends to a luncheon at the First United Methodist Church immediately following the service.

Wilma was born to Frank Walter and Beulah (DeHeer) Pearson. She was born in Marion County, northwest of Knoxville, Iowa on March 13, 1926. Wilma went to Knoxville Schools until her Junior year of High School. Her parents then moved to a farm northeast of Pella. She graduated from Pella Schools in May of 1943.

Wilma married James Victor Hollingshead on July 1, 1944 in Sigourney, Iowa. They were blessed with over 67 years of marriage and five children: James Lee, Jackie Wayne, Judy Faye, JoAnn, and Jerry Dean.

Wilma taught school until she got married. She then became a devoted wife and mom who worked side by side on the farm with JV. She milked cows, helped with farm work, gardening, canning, cooking, and baking. One of her favorite things to do at Christmas time was to bake cinnamon rolls for each family member.

Wilma and JV kept Sundays for church and family. Wilma’s mom, Beulah, instilled in her “to always do your best, and trust God for the rest.” She also instilled this saying to her kids and grandkids. At the end of her life she was still able to share that saying with her Hospice Caregivers.

Wilma is survived by three sons James Lee (Janice) Hollingshead of Knoxville, Jack Wayne (Linda) Hollingshead of Columbia, MO, and Jerry Dean (Karen) Hollingshead of Knoxville; two daughters Judy F. (Tom) Kamp of Knoxville and JoAnn (Greg) Lee of Knoxville; 11 grandchildren Tammy Sue (Hollingshead) Denietolis, James “Jamie” Lee Hollingshead, Jeffrey Wayne Hollingshead, Matthew Wayne Hollingshead, Holly Anne (Hollingshead) Perryman, Tracy Michelle (Kamp) Douglas, Todd Donald Kamp, Amy Jo Lee, Angela Michelle (Lee) Uitermarkt, Shalene Marie Hollingshead, and Kelby James Hollingshead; and 19 great grandchildren Samantha Marie Oliver, Alexandria “Lexi” Leigh Sells, Ned Keeton Hollingshead, Matthew James Hollingshead, Mitchell Lee Hollingshead, Sydney Marie Hollingshead, Paige Nicole Hollingshead, Caroline Elizabeth Hollingshead, Katelyn “Kate” Elise Hollingshead, Adam Andrew Perryman, Emily Victoria Blankenship, Erica Lauren Blankenship, Bronson Thomas Kamp, Decklan Lawrence Kamp, Aubriella Elizabeth Kamp, Tara Jo Uitermarkt, Carson James Uitermarkt, Kalynn Jo Hollingshead and Baby Boy Hollingshead (due in May), and Xia Lou Milburn; four brothers Jipe, Scott, Ned Pearson all of Knoxville and Lyle Pearson of Arizona; and three sisters Bess Uitermarkt of Oskaloosa, Sue Surber of Des Moines, and Lyla Scales of Arizona; one brother-in-law Hubert
Hollingshead of Knoxville; and lots of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Wilma is preceded in death by her husband, J.V., her parents, two brothers, Frank and Pete, and one sister, Lola.

Memorial contributions may be made to HCI Care Services of Knoxville or to Christian Opportunity Center in honor of Wilma’s granddaughter, Amy Jo Lee.