Wilma Bess, 93, of Perry passed away Saturday, July 2, 2016, at the Rowley Memorial Masonic Community in Perry.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 8 at 2 p.m. at the Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry. Visitation will be Thursday, July 7 from 3-7 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m. at the Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry. Burial will be in the Violet Hill at Perry.
Memorials donation will used for a memorial in Wilma’s name at the Lake Robbins Ball Room and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.carrisfuneralhome.com.
Wilma Jean Bess was born Feb. 1, 1923, in Perry, Iowa, to Airet and Jennie Lee (West) Stout.
She graduated from Perry High School.
She was united in marriage to Noah “Pete” Bess Feb. 4, 1944.
She worked with Pete on the farm and later purchased the Lake Robbins Ballroom.
Wilma was a people person and enjoyed hearing what was happening in her family and in her friends’ lives. She also enjoyed playing cards, bingo, going bowling, dancing, reading books and listening to music.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers, Floyd and Ray Stout; and close friend and caretaker, Sharon Steadman.
She is survived by her children, Rowena Bess of Perry and Noah (Laurie) Bess of Naples, Fls.; grandchildren, Janae Bess and Nealy Mortvedt; great-grandchildren, Ashton and Allison Jean Mortvedt; niece, Mollie Dulcos; and nephew, Jack Bess.
