Wilhelm, Charleen K.
January 15, 1937 – April 7, 2018
Charleen was born in Sioux City, Iowa to Leslie and Mary Leaverton on January 15, 1937. They later moved to Pocahontas, Iowa where Charleen was active in high school activities and was a lifeguard at the Pocahontas City swimming pool. After graduation from High School in 1954, Charleen attended Iowa Teacher’s College and then moved to Chicago where she was employed by North Central Airlines. Later, while working as a telephone switch operator in California, she met her soon-to-be-husband, Air Force 2nd Lt. Dave Wilhelm. They were married on May 19, 1958 and started their Air Force career together. They were stationed throughout the U.S. and loved their tour in Germany where the family was able to travel throughout Europe. They settled in Omaha, Nebraska in December of 1973. In addition to taking care of the family and being an Air Force spouse, Charleen found time and energy to be a Boy and Girl Scout leader, learned to paint, and hosted her own radio program for a military base radio station as well as being an Avon Lady for 25 years. Charleen was active at St. Bernadette parish for many years in a variety of roles, including lector, lay eucharistic minister, Liturgy Committee and Altar Society. She was also a long-time volunteer at the Omaha Playhouse and a docent at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. A lover of her family genealogy, Charleen was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Charleen worked for Mutual Protective Medico Life Insurance company as their receptionist for 20 years. Charleen and Dave were avid supporters and Booster Club members of Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School along with the Marianist Society. Charleen and Dave were annual “snowbirds” in Mesa, AZ and loved to visit long-time friends from the Air Force, Pocahontas, and their winter park community.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Mary Leaverton. She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Dave Wilhelm; daughters: Yvonne Schilz, Barbara Wilhelm, and Karin Wilhelm; sons: John (Kathy), Phillip, and Andrew (Jill); grandchildren: Dr. Kelsey Wilhelm, Michael Wilhelm (Gabby), Christian Cook, and Sarah Wilhelm.
VIGIL SERVICE: Sunday, April 15th at 7pm at the West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd., with family receiving friends from 5pm to 7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, April 16th, 11am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 South 42nd Street, Bellevue, NE. Private Inurnment at a later date: Omaha National Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Wilhelm Family Endowment at Gross Catholic High School and St. Bernadette Catholic Church.
11 Comments
Thinking of you at this time of loss and knowing your memories of your mom will help you through it.
Karin, your mother sounds like she loved life and enjoyed each and every day. I am hoping the years of happy memories that you had with her will comfort you and your family during this time. Best wishes to your and your family.
I am thinking of the Wilhelm family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your profound loss. I have nothing but fond memories of Mrs. Wilhelm. She was always smiling and kind. We were truly very blessed to be her neighbors and know her for so many years.
A wonderful Mother, and Spouse of a great family. May you find strength, and togetherness in your time of loss. Love. and prayers from our family.
I’m sorry sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I worked with Charleen at Mutual Protective for many years. She was a wonderful and very thoughtful person. She will be missed.
I was privileged to know Charleen at Sunrise Vista Mobile Resort in Mesa, AZ. I will miss her wonderful stories of life and travel in Europe. She was a joy to be around and will be missed at cards and dominoes at the clubhouse. Please know my heart is with all family members and friends.
My heartfelt sympathy Dave and family.
We got to know Charleen at Country Cousins and will never forget the memories and laughs with Charleen and my mother, Dolores Larson..
To the Wilhelm family…We were truly saddened to hear of Charleen’s passing. She was such a wonderful lady, wife, Mother and grandmother, who will be fondly remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness of others, and her love of family. May God comfort you now and always, Our condolences,and prayers, Jeff & Carolyn
Charleen (Charky) was a great classmate at Pocahontas. She was the one who organized reunions and kept everyone informed about other classmates over the years.
My heartfelt sympathy to Dave and family.
So sad to hear of Charleen’s passing. A dear high school classmate & friend. Our thoughts for UDave and your family. No one from here will be coming for the service as we have a big blizzard going since yesterday @ 7 am & it is still snowing & blowing. Think of all of u. Irene Leonard
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