Marietta Wahlman

Bertha Marietta (Fliss) Wahlman, passed into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, November 26th, her 95th birthday. She was born November 26, 1929, to Andrew Jacob and Lela Alpharetta (Case) Fliss on the family farm near Terril IA. Marietta attended Terril schools until her senior year, when her parents retired and moved to Milford. She graduated from Milford High School in 1947.

After graduation Marietta worked for Smith Lumber Company in downtown Milford. Marietta married Virgil LeRoy Wahlman on September 3, 1950, at the old Union Memorial Church in Milford, where the post office now stands. In 1951 Virgil, who had served in the US Army from 1946 to 1949, enlisted in the US Air Force and served at Offutt Air Force Base NE until December 1955; thereafter the couple moved back to Milford. Marietta worked for the Farm Bureau for a short time, then returned to Smith Lumber in 1957, and worked there until 1971 when she joined Virgil at the family business, Buy Rite Food Center. The two operated the store until April 2001 when it was sold to sons Neal and Eric and longtime employee Tom Arends. Virgil and Marietta were fortunate to be able to travel to nine foreign countries and forty-eight states, many of these trips with grocery industry groups. 

Marietta was an accomplished pianist and served Terril United Methodist, Union Memorial and Milford Baptist Churches for many years. She played for many weddings, funerals, and special events. Marietta continued to play into her nineties. She passed on this musical gene to her children and grandchildren, all who learned to play the piano and other instruments. 

Marietta, along with her parents and husband, was involved with the founding of Milford Baptist Church, and served as a longtime Sunday School teacher and Awana leader. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years, and served as President, Treasurer, Membership Chairwoman and Pianist. Marietta enjoyed the fellowship of the “Carpet Rag Ladies,” sewing carpet rags for disabled veterans to weave into rugs. Ever in touch with her roots and heritage, she was a lifetime member of the Farm Booster Club, where she served as Secretary/Treasurer and Milford Music Parents. She was also a member of the Federated Women’s Club, and served as President, and the Advent Christian Church. 

Marietta was an accomplished businesswoman, and managed the office at Buy Rite Food Center and the family farm after the death of her parents and brothers. The farm has been in the family well over one hundred years, of which Marietta was enormously proud.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Kenneth and Darrell, sister Clara, sister-in-law Mary Fliss, infant son Randall Clare, grandson Heath Huberg, son-in-law William Betz and parents-in-law, Charles and Mamie Wahlman. Left to cherish her legacy and memory are her husband Virgil, sons Neal (Debra), Eric (Diane), and daughters Marla Betz, Cheryl (Mark) Zieringer, Linda (Dan) Ballah, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Christel Fliss.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 at Turner-Jenness Funeral Home in Milford, with services at The Downtown Church at 12:00 on Saturday, December 7. Lunch will be served after the service followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery, Spencer IA. Memorials are preferred to the American Legion Auxiliary, c/o LaVonne Siemers, 1306 Terrace Park Blvd, Milford IA 51351 or The Advent Christian Village, PO Box 4345, Dowling Park FL 32064.

The family thanks the staff at Stonebridge Suites, Accura Healthcare and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate, helpful, and attentive care.