Wilma Jean (Trim) Westhoff, 73, of Chanute, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.
She was born on Dec. 4, 1950, in Galesburg to Melvin and Eileen (jones) Trim. Wilma attended elementary school in Galesburg and graduated from Erie High School in 1969. On Feb. 7, 1970, she married the love of her life, Jim Westhoff, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Wilma was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute.
Mom was a master seamstress, the Mozart of the sewing machine. She designed and sewed her wedding dress, made innumerable clothes for all of us and crocheted dozens of afghans. She was an awesome cook, and her food was an expression of her love. If her thumb wasn’t always green, her heart was. No matter how many plants she had (or killed), she always had room for one more. Mom had a huge heart and was incapable of turning her back on someone in need. She loved the Lord, America and, most of all, her family. We were all Mom cared about, and she did her best to spoil us all. She was bold, outspoken and opinionated. Always quick to tell you “the thing of it is…” then weigh in on whatever topic was at hand. She had a great sense of humor and we all remember her big laugh. Mom was a tireless worker, doing everything from selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners door to door and greeting at Walmart early on to establishing Elk Creek Kennel with Dad and growing it to levels of success they had never dreamed of. She loved taking the grandkids on vacation, going to the casino and playing pitch. She did her level best to support the economy, summoning an endless caravan of UPS trucks to her and Dad’s carrying whatever bargain had caught her eye, despite Dad’s protests. Mom waged a lifelong war on car paint and side mirrors in particular, sending nearly a dozen to the scrapyard and becoming a legend around the Merle Kelly Ford body shop in the process. Finally, Mom suffered through a lot, including debilitating scoliosis and losing my sister, but she always put everyone else first, despite all of her pain. She was one of one and will be loved and missed forever by all who knew her. We love you Mama.
Survivors include her husband, Jim Westhoff; a son, Wayco Westhoff of Chanute; grandchildren, Kim Berthot, Chase Berthot, Natalie Holmes and Arlee Westhoff; a great-grandchild, Chloe Berthot; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tonya Westhoff; brother, J.L. Trim; sister, Nanalee Geiger; and her parents, Melvin and Eileen Trim.
The rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute, with Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:30 a.m. She will be buried at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the St. Patrick’s Altar Society or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and these can be left with the Countryside Funeral Home of Chanute.
