Wilma Amelia Loenser Tracy

Wilma Amelia Loenser Tracy, beloved wife, mom, grandma, great grandma (GG), and friend passed away May 10th, 2023, at the age of 99.

She was born June 23, 1923, in Edford Township Illinois to William Lewis and Rose Weise Loenser. She attended Hart Country Day School, Geneseo Township High Scholl where she was President of the Class of 1941 and proudly organized class reunions through the 75th. Go Green & White! She attended the University of Illinois until WWII interrupted her education and necessitated employment at John Deere Co. in Moline, IL.

She married James Albert Tracy (Ensign US Navy) on July 1, 1944, and moved with him wherever he was stationed, even in a chicken coop on the east coast and a converted warehouse on the west coast. She traveled across the country alone by train sitting in the aisle on her suitcase.

After the war they moved to Rockford where Jim began his career at Barber Colman Company. She managed the home and activities centered around their two daughters Catherine Rose and Julie Ann. (PTA, Room Mother, 4H, Brownies, etc.)

Wilma joined the Rockford Women’s Club and Rockford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary where she received the Alma Fringer award and honored for 65 years of service. She founded the Women’s Network Lutheran Social Services in Illinois of the with a group of like-minded ladies eager to support and foster social services for people and communities.

Wilma and Jim belonged to St. Paul Lutheran Church and later Out Savior’s Lutheran Churches in both Rockford and Tucson, AZ where they wintered for 40 years. They enjoyed travelling the world, visiting family, friends and many exotic locations.

Wilma decorated cakes for Golden Age, family partis, etc. She loved all things needlepoint, knitting and crocheting. She belonged to the Rock River Needlework Guild and took classes around the country. She entered and won countless ribbons including Best of Show at the Illinois State Fair for her needlepoint. She loved to cook and published her own family cookbook and launched it with a signing party. She loved entertaining, playing cards and chicken foot.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents older brother Eldon and husband. She is survived by her daughters Catherine Rose (Lee) Arnold and Julie Ann (David) Janssen and grandchildren Richard (Anne Pearson) VanSickle, Tracy (Pete) Sedunov, James (Jill) VanSickle, Michael (Stephanie) VanSickle, and great grandchildren Zachary, Jenna, Evan, Amelia Brynn, Elliott VanSickle and Floyd Sedunov.

Private family burial for both Jim and Wilma will take place in the Morristown Cemetery at a later date.