Irma Willson

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Irma F. Dippold Willson, 98, left this earth Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born May 11, 1919, at Longtown, Missouri, the third of six children born to the Rev. Leopold F. and Irma Griebel Dippold.

She grew up in New Wells and graduated from Jackson High School. She went on to graduate from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis, in 1942. She joined the Red Cross as a registered nurse and then entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant Feb. 23, 1943, at Camp Dodge, Iowa.

She transferred to O'Reilly General Army Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, and then Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, to prepare for overseas duty with 316th Station Hospital in England. She sailed on the Mauretania and arrived in England on Sept. 20, 1943.

On July 20, 1944, she left 316th Station Hospital and transferred to the 104st General Hospital, appointed in the Army of the U.S., July 10, 1944. During her tour of duty overseas, she met Lt. George W. Willson, and they married March 1, 1945, in England. She returned to the U.S., and on July 29, 1945, she was relieved of active duty after serving two years and five months.

After her discharge, she spent the next 23 years as an Air Force wife and mother, raising four children and traveling to various bases both in the U.S. and overseas. Her family and her church were her life. In her earlier years, she enjoyed golf, bridge and bowling, as well as many church activities wherever she was living. Her constant smile and thankfulness in her declining years were her trademark and noticed by all who met her.

Irma is survived by her four children, Mary E. Wynn (John) Ficzere of Wetumpka, Alabama, Thomas (Connie) Willson of Huntington Beach, California, George W. (Lynne) Willson Jr., of Tallahassee, Florida, and Patti (William) Elliott of Fort Myers, Florida.

Other survivors include her grandchildren, Bernard (Beth) Collett, Michael (Amanda) Collett, Kimberly (Scott) Burks, Kristine (Dru) Huston, Kevin Willson, Ashley (Doug) Brown, Michael (Alyssa) Willson, William (Maggie) Elliott and Amanda Elliott; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Hugo (Shirley) Dippold and Edgar (Lee) Dippold of Missouri; many nieces and nephews; and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 55 years; a sister, Evelyn Mueller; and brothers, Walter Dippold and Richard Dippold.

Irma and George moved to Montgomery in 1992 to be near her daughter Mary and family and military facilities. After Irma's husband passed away, she moved to Eastdale Estates and spent many happy years there before moving to John Knox Manor. The family would like to thank the staff of both facilities for their care and concern for Irma. A very special thanks goes to Louise Smith, Irma's loving companion for almost 13 years.

Viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery, with the Revs. Carey Elam and Steve Richardson officiating. Burial will be at Alabama Heritage Cemetery, 10505 Atlanta Highway, in Montgomery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Lutheran World Relief Organization.