Wilma Deeds

Wilma Deeds, 92, of Sheridan, passed away at Sheridan Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Wilma was born on September 24, 1927, in Aurora, Nebraska to William and Esther Hahle. She graduated from Hampton High School in Nebraska in May 1945, and then began a lifetime working as a telephone operator, first in Nebraska and later in Wyoming.

Wilma married Lloyd Deeds, of Grand Island, Nebraska, on August 10, 1947, in Hampton, Nebraska. They moved to Sheridan in 1956, and Wilma began working for Mountain Bell Telephone Company, while at the same time raising her children and caring for her family. After the Sheridan Mountain Bell office closed in 1979, where Wilma had earned a vested pension, she then worked as the switchboard operator and receptionist at Sheridan College, until her retirement in 1992.

Wilma was known for her beautiful, rich flower and vegetable gardens. Gardening was her special joy and gift – it has been said that “she could grow anything out of the Rock of Gibraltar!” She then blessed her family and friends with so many fresh vegetables and fruits, canned goods, and prepared foods from her garden. Wilma lovingly shared canning with her daughters-in-law and then baking, garden picking and harvesting, and canning with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wilma also donated canned and baked goods for annual Bazaars at the First United Methodist Church, where she was a devoted member and served on the Altar Guild and Bereavement Committee. Wilma enjoyed spending time with and caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the pride and joy of her life.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, her daughter, Jacqueline, her sisters Lilah Smith, and Ileen Dunnington and her brother Bob Hahle.

Wilma is survived by her sons Lloyd (LouAnn) Deeds, Jr. of Oklahoma, Larry (Jody) Deeds and Lynn (Debra) Deeds of Sheridan, and Terry (Carol) Deeds of Oregon. She is survived by her brothers Bill Hahle and Dennis Hahle and her step-sister Ardyce Arp. Wilma is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.   The viewing will be held on Thursday, August 13 at 4:00 p.m. at Champion Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 14 at First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Jim Barth officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 215 W. Works Street or The Hub, 211 Smith Street. Champion Funeral Home is entrusted with local arrangements. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.