Obit: Wilms, Cathern (1830 – 1920)
Poster:  Stan

Surnames: BADGER WILMS SHEAN DUNHAM

---------Source: COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Wis.) 02/26/1920

--------- Wilms, Cathern (11 JUN 1830 – 16 FEB 1920)

Cathern Badger was born at Marafelt, Ireland, on June 11, 1830, and when she was six years of age her parents moved to New Castle, England, where she lived with them until the year 1846, when she came to America and lived with a married sister at Waupaca, Wis. In 1850 she was united in marriage to Alfred Dunham and to this union were born two children, Alfred and Thomas Dunham. Six years after their marriage Mr. Dunham died and on Apr. 3, 1859 she was married for the second time to B. A. Wilms.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilms, Sarah J., Carrie M., William, Cathern and Frank. Three of these are still living, Carrie M. Shean of Colby, William of Neenah, and Frank of Lake Saskatoon, Alberta, Canada.

Mrs. Wilms was one of the early settlers of this section, having come to Colby, Wis. with her husband in Aug. 1872, and took up a homestead on section 24 in the town of Hull, Marathon, Co. A short time after they moved into town and Mr. Wilms put up a building on the site where the post office now stands, where he operated a drug store and barber shop until he passed away on July 6, 1901.

During her many years residence in Colby, Mrs. Wilms has always been loved and respected by all. Her long and useful life has been well spent and she will always be remembered as being a good neighbor, a faithful wife and a devoted mother. Until a few months ago she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Shean, on their old place just south of the city limits, when on account of her declining years it was deemed advisable that she enjoy the comforts of the Veteran’s Home at Waupaca during the rest of her days. She has not been ill or complained of any suffering and her passing away came peacefully on the morning of Feb. 16, 1920.

The remains were brought to this city from Waupaca last week Thursday and the funeral was held Saturday afternoon from the M. E. Church, Rev. J. G. Vance officiating, and the interment took place in the Colby Cemetery.

The relatives from abroad who attended the funeral were Mrs. H. D. Creed, a niece of Duluth, Minn., W. H. Wilms, Neenah, Mrs. A. Dunham, Fond du Lac, Mrs. E. Creed and son Charles, and Mrs. A. Groelle, Unity, Miss Mary Hanson of Spencer.