Wilma Bouska

Monday, August 31, 2015 5:20 pm

Wilma Bouska, 99, of Protivin, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Elma. A Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Protivin, with Rev. Nick March presiding. Interment was in Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery, Protivin, with Dale King, Jeff Novotny, Duane Novotny, Lloyd Phillips, Randy Novotny and Allan King serving as pallbearers. Friends greeed the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Hugeback’s Protivin Funeral Home, where there was a 4 p.m. Catholic Daughters of the Americas rosary. Visitation continued an hour prior to the Mass at the funeral home Friday. Online condolences for Wima’s family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Wilma Pauline Bouska was born Jan. 19, 1916, in rural Winneshiek, County, the daughter of Rudolph and Eleanora (Tupy) Novotny. Wilma attended country school and Holy Trinity Catholic School during her elementary years. She was a graduate of the Fort Atkinson High School.

Wilma was united in marriage to Clarence Bouska June 20, 1938, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville.

In the earlier years Wilma worked as a telephone switchboard operator, bookkeeper and truck dispatcher for her husband’s contracting business. Wilma served as a volunteer for many organizations, such as chairman of the American Cancer Society and the Howard County Cancer Board.

Wilma and Clarence were foster parents to five children, whom by contributions they helped support and put through school in a foreign land through the Foster Parent’s Mission Club. Wilma and Clarence spent 25 winters in Florida, enjoying the entertainment and friendships they made over the years. In her younger years, Wilma enjoyed golfing at South Winn Country Club, where she was a member for over 40 years.

She found enjoyment crocheting, doing arts and crafts, and in her later years was an avid card player. Wilma was very active at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where she was a member of the choir for 65 years, and was a member of the Catholic daughters for over 55 years.

Wilma is survived by one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Novotny of Protivin; and by 16 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence in 2008; two brothers, Ernest and Donald Novotny; two sisters, Lillian Phillips and Marvelene King; and three nephews.