Frank R. Wilma

Frank Wilma

Frank Raymond Wilma was born on January 22, 1924 to Clarence and Stella Wilma in Jamestown, North Dakota. He was received into our heavenly Father's loving arms on August 24, 2010. Frank's two older brothers died at birth. Frank attended elementary school at St. John's Academy and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1942. After high school Frank enlisted in the army and was sent overseas to Australia, the Philippines, and Okinawa. After being lost in the jungle for a week he contracted Dengue Fever. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1945. In 1946 Frank met the love of his life, Marian Cebula, at the county fair and they were married on April 7, 1947 at Sacred Heart Church in Fried, North Dakota.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marian. Their children are Diane (Phil) Frailey, Bakersfield, CA and Kevin (Paula) Wilma, Colorado Springs, CO. Twin boys born to Frank and Marian were stillborn in 1952. Frank is also survived by his five granddaughters and their husbands: Keri (Bob) Borda, Kelly (Mike) Allred, Becky (Brian) Bean, all of Bakersfield, CA, Elizabeth Wilma (fiancé Dave Martinson), Redmond, WA and Emily (Greg) Firko, Jeanette, PA. His great-grandchildren are: Justin Carlton, Harrison and Lauren Allred, Matthew, Megan and Jacob Borda, Jillian Bean and Ava Firko. Frank is also survived by many relatives and friends in Jamestown, ND.

In 1960 Frank & Marian moved from New Rockford, ND to Napa, CA. They resided in Napa until after their retirement and returned to Jamestown in 1992. They moved to Bakersfield in 2009 to be near their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Frank spent most of his career working in auto parts sales. He always owned an American car and was partial to Fords. Frank liked hunting for ducks and pheasants and enjoyed fishing with his son, Kevin and son-in-law, Phil. He was an avid Norte Dame football fan, loved the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Montana and the San Francisco Giants were his favorite baseball team. He liked to play Pinochle, especially with his good pal, Charlie Kourajian. He enjoyed gambling at the casinos.

Our dad was a devout Catholic, a parishioner at Christ the King Catholic Church and a life time member of the Knights of Columbus and Veteran of Foreign Wars. There was only one Frank and for the most part he did things "his way". But he had a big smile and a tender and grateful heart and the last words he spoke to his family were: "Thank you for everything". You are at peace, dad and grandpa. We love you!

The family would like to thank the following for their loving care: The staff at Izene's Haven Assisted Living, especially Marguerite Brutron and Paulette Miller, Rev. Monsignor Stephen Frost,

Cyndi Ranjel, RN, Mercy Hospice, Richard Temple, Chaplain, Mercy Hospice, Connie, 4th floor nurse, Mercy Hospital, Dr. William Farr and his staff.

A memorial Mass will be held at Christ the King Church on Friday, August 27 at 5:30 pm. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer Association, Izene's Haven Assisted Living, 10000 Cobblestone Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93311 or Christ the King Catholic Church, 1800 Bedford Way, Bakersfield, CA 93308.

Interment - Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown, ND at a later date.