Willa Rae Wilhelm, 79, of rural Horton, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Aldersgate Nursing Home in Topeka, Kansas after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Her final days were spent with her family by her side. She was born on March 23, 1938 in Axtell, Kansas the daughter of Clem and Florentine (Olberding) Rethman. Willa was a homemaker and worked for Tri-County Manor in the kitchen for over 20 years. She also worked at the Golden Eagle Casino before retiring. She was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church and the Altar Society. On January 12, 1963 she married Galen B. Wilhelm at St. Benedict, Kansas. He preceded her in death on February 6, 2009. Survivors include two daughters, Denise (Miles) Carter of Carrollton, Missouri and Stacy Wilhelm of Topeka, Kansas; three sons, Kevin (Brenda) Wilhelm of Holton, Kansas, Brian Wilhelm and Daryl Wilhelm both of Horton, Kansas; three sisters, Rosetta Umscheid of Flush, Kansas, Roberta Lierz of Sabetha, Kansas and Diane Mulryan of Seneca, Kansas; 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Anna Sperfslage and Charlotta Burdick, two brothers, Clem Rethman Jr. and Rupert Rethman. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas where the family will greet friends following the rosary. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, November 27, 2017 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Horton, Kansas. Burial will be at St. Leo's Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Willa Wilhelm memorial fund to be designated later and may be sent in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com