Anna Wilhelm 1949-2025
Anna Louise (Fernkopf) Wilhelm, 75, of Holton, passed away on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Topeka.
She was the oldest child of Louise (Schlodder) and Clyde Fernkopf, born on Dec. 19, 1949, in Holton and raised near Circleville. On Sept. 4, 1970, she was united in marriage to Virgil Wilhelm in Idaho Falls, Idaho, then settled in San Diego, Calif., for several years while Virgil was deployed in the U.S. Navy.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents and sister Neva (Fernkopf) Fraley. Along with her husband Virgil, she is survived by her son Michael Wilhelm of Mascoutah, Ill., and his daughter Aurora Wilhelm, his partner Jessica Sullivan and her children Easton and Landen Scott; and her son Eric Wilhelm of Portland, Ore., his wife Tina Connolly and their children Katie and Sage Wilhelm. Additional survivors include sister Mary (Steve) Boyles, Topeka; brother John (Jane) Fernkopf, Topeka; brother-in-law Arcle (Carol) Fraley, Aurora, Colo.; and brother Fred (Sheila) Fernkopf, Circleville, along with several nieces and nephews.
Anna graduated valedictorian from Soldier High School in 1968 and later received a degree in business administration from San Diego State University in 1976. Along the path from Kansas to California and back, Anna worked various administrative jobs in and around San Diego while earning her college degree.
Anna returned to Circleville with their infant son Michael in December of 1977, and Virgil joined her in August 1978 after his final deployment (and Eric’s birth). While in Circleville, Anna ran a small daycare, delivered newspapers and worked for the City of Topeka before deciding to purchase Holton Hardware in 1983 and become a sole proprietor. Holton Hardware was eventually renamed Wilhelm Heating and Hardware and along with Virgil, she ran the business until retirement.
Anna was active in many civic organizations. She was a charter member of the Jackson County Historical Society and served at times as president and in various other board positions since its founding in 1979. She also served on the boards of Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Tourism Council, Holton Main Street and Friends of Downtown. In recent years, Anna was more involved with the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, Northeast Kansas Area Council on Aging and served as a Representative in the Kansas Silver Hair Legislature.
Anna had a fond interest in genealogy; she and Virgil would travel across Kansas to cemeteries to help identify faded headstones and list them on the Find a Grave website. She excelled at keeping her extended family updated on the passing of relatives and sharing interesting familial historical finds. People from all over the United States would contact Anna for help with locating relatives from Holton and the surrounding area. And of course she enjoyed traveling around the country with Virgil to visit her grandchildren in Oregon and Illinois, especially the last two-week trip to Oregon when they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22 at The Courtyard, 426 Pennsylvania, Holton. The Jackson County Historical Society will livestream the funeral on its Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jackson County Historical Society, 216 New York Ave., Holton, KS 66436; or the charity of your choice.
(PAID OBITUARY)
