Wilma Reinking

Wilma Doris Jessen was born August 31, 1926, to Henry and Edith (Peterson) Jessen 
on a farm near Danbury, IA. As Wilma would explain, the couple’s first three children 
were all girls. Wilma was the second born of the girls, and she found outside chores 
much more interesting than household chores. Wilma became her father’s helper and 
remained so, even after the birth of her three little brothers. During her childhood, 
her family moved between Danbury and Mapleton farms. Henry’s health had been 
damaged during the First World War, and he passed away at the age of 48. At that 
point, she was hired out as a housekeeper to several local families.
The family attended Salem Lutheran Church in rural Correctionville, Iowa, and it was 
there that Wilma met Ross Reinking. Later, she would tell of how they looked forward 
to the youth events just to see each other, and when the youth sat together in the 
pews, she and Ross would secretly hold hands. Ross saved up for her beautiful 
engagement ring. He was pretty proud of the ring, and Wilma loved it, because Ross 
loved giving it to her. They married on June 30, 1945 at Salem Lutheran. The church 
was always their place to nurture their faith and friendships.
Ross and Wilma moved into the Reinking ‘home place’ place near Kingsley, Iowa. 
There they worked side by side on the farm. The couple was not without their 
sorrows. Their first daughter, Sharon, was born at home and died before the doctor 
arrived. Twin sons Donald and Ronald were born prematurely and did not survive. 
However, Ross and Wilma were blessed with Dennis, Diane and David. One of 
Wilma’s favorite pastimes was raising chickens and selling the eggs locally for $.25 per 
dozen. She remained very active at the church where she had many lifelong friends.
In December 1982, ross and Wilma moved into their new home in Kingsley. For many 
years, Wilma volunteered at the Kingsley Nursing Home and made more friendships. 
From 1974 through 2004, Ross and Wilma ‘wintered’ in Mission, Texas where they 
enjoyed bike riding, dancing and being with friends.
Ross passed away on March 6, 2006. Wilma remained in their home in Kingsley until 
January 2021when her health required her to move into Sunrise Manor Assisted Care. 
Wilma moved to Sunrise’s skilled care more recently. Although, her passion for life 
was strong, she knew that her body was ready to rest, and September 29, 2023, Wilma 
passed away peacefully. The family is very appreciative of the loving care provided to 
Wilma at Sunrise Retirement community and by St. Croix Hospice.
Those left to remember Wilma are daughter Diane Sargisson, sons, Dennis (Joan) 
Reinking and David (Peg) Reinking, grandchildren, Sandra (Steve) Nissen, Brent 
(Sandy) Reinking, Perry (Jody) Reinking, Korey (Julie) Sargisson, Ryan (Heidi) Reinking, 
Kyle (Jamie) Sargisson, Adam (Angie) Reinking, Kevin Sargisson, Philip (Lindy) 
Reinking, Jordan (Morgan) Reinking, Dhanashree (Brett Frauendofer) Reinking, 27 
(soon to be 28) great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, sister-in-law Laura 
Lee, and many friends and extended family members.
Those preceding Wilma in death are her parents, husband Ross, daughter Sharon, 
sons Donald and Ronald, sisters Leona Bell, Hattie Stevens, Ella May Black, brothers 
Elmer Jessen, Freddie Jessen, and Henry Jessen, Jr.

Wilma requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to The St. Jude’s Hospital 
for Children St. Jude was built upon the dream of our founder Danny Thomas, that no 
child should…Facebook - St. Jude Children research Hospital Nov 29, 2022
…and the Siouxland Tanzania Medical Ministries https://facebook.com/story.php/?id=100063567730508&story_fbid=826966142765636.