Wilda Arbogast-Tonner
July 31, 1917 ~ June 13, 2015
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Wilda M. Arbogast-Tonner, 97, of Glenwood, Iowa and formerly of Miller, SD, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015.
Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 18, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Miller.
Wilda Marie Rice was born to Harry and Elizabeth Rice in Hand County, on July 31, 1917. She grew up in south Hand County and attended rural schools and was next to the youngest of six children. On March 30th, 1938 she married Theodore “Ted” Arbogast. They lived and farmed in rural Hand County until 1959T. They had three children: Doyle, Carolyn, and Galen.
In 1959, Ted and Wilda sold their farm south of Miller and moved to Aberdeen where Ted worked for the local Coast to Coast store. In the early 60’s they owned and operated a Coast to Coast store in Linton, North Dakota. Due to Ted’s health problems, they sold that store and moved back to Aberdeen where Wilda went to work as a sales clerk in the Feinstein clothing store, and Ted went back to work at the local Coast to Coast store.
Over the years, Wilda was involved in a number of projects and organizations while living in Miller Township. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Ladies Aid, a member of, and organist for the Eastern Star, and took part in an extension club. She was also a leader of a 4-H club, and was chairperson for the School Band Parents organization, and was chairperson for the Republican Women’s Association. For several years, Wilda was also employed at Jones Drug and the Rexall Drug in Miller.
In September of 1976, Ted passed away. And on June 27 of 1980, Wilda married Francis “Bud” Tonner, of Aberdeen. Bud, as he was affectionately known, was a well-liked and successful businessman in Aberdeen. Wilda worked in the office at Bud’s grocery store until he retired from the grocery business. After Bud’s retirement they enjoyed traveling to a number of countries and continents as well as many states in the U.S.
She is survived by her two sons, Doyle (Donna) Arbogast of Glenwood, Iowa, and Galen (Pam) Arbogast of Lawrence, Nebraska; 3 step-children, six grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a number of step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, her husband Ted in 1976, and her husband Bud in 2005, and her daughter Carolyn in May of 2015.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Wilda’s arrangement.
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You will be missed Grandma Wilda. We love you.
I was the Recreation gal at Mable Rose for a couple years while Wilda lived there. Wilda was my buddy, always in the Hobby Shop, playing her solitaire. She and I talked for countless hours while I was working in and out of that room. She loved hearing the live music and I would always make sure her special chair was in "Her" spot. She gave me a hard time, joked, and shared one of the best smiles I’ve ever seen. I loved Wilda. We would have our special happy hours at Marv’s Place where we would have Juice "Cocktails." I can still here her say, "Hey, Kid! You behaving yourself?" When I would tell her, "Well, Wilda, it’s hard!" She would pull me close and pretend to swap me while saying "You better!" We’d both get a good laugh and again I’d get that awesome smile. She loved her family and was so proud her kids. She loved that they were musicians and would tell me how she was the Church Organist at the age of 12. I already miss her so dearly. She gave me great memories. I’ll say a loving prayer for Wilda and her dear family. I know she’s glad to be with those dear husbands she lost. I wish I could attend her service. I’ll be with her in spirit.