Wilma Verle Ver Steegh was born on January 20, 1920, at New Sharon, Iowa. She was the first of two daughters that were born to Henry John and Leota May Briggs Ver Steegh. Wilma received her formal education in New Sharon where she graduated from New Sharon High School. She attended Murphy Business School and then worked in an office in Oskaloosa, tracing farm plots of Mahaska County. On April 3, 1943, she was united in marriage with Forrest Harrison Fortney who had just enlisted in the United States Army. They were married in Lancaster, Missouri, and Wilma returned to Oskaloosa while he served on active duty during World War II. Following his discharge, Wilma and "Frosty", as he was known, lived in Oskaloosa until 1958 where she was a devoted mother to their three daughters: Carol Ann, Claudia Lea, and Peggy Lynne. In 1958 they moved to Montgomery, Minnesota, where she was employed as a legal secretary and was an active golfer and bowler. Forrest passed away there on September 17, 1980. Following his death, Wilma continued living there until 1986 when she relocated to Marshalltown, Iowa, to be near a friend (Harry Cripps). Then in 2001 Wilma desired to be near her family and relocated to Pella, Iowa. She enjoyed the remaining years of her life in Pella where she enjoyed family, playing cards, travel, listening to gospel music, watching TV and doing word finds. Late Sunday evening, July 26, 2009, she passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 6 days. Wilma is survived by two daughters: Claudia Fortney and her friend, Mike Hickman of Mankato, Minnesota and her daughter, Michelle Fortney, of Eagle Lake, Minnesota; Peggy Fortney and her friend, Brian Kammerer of Maplewood, Minnesota, and her step-daughter, Nevis Marsh of Chicago, Illinois; another granddaughter, Kimberly Thomas of St. Charles, Illinois; a son-in-law, Rawley Thomas, of St. Charles, Illinois and his two children: John and Rhonda Thomas, Alexis and Mike Rowcliff and their two children: Cassandra and Cody Rowcliff; and her sister, Helen Helm Roberts and her husband, Riley Roberts, of Pella, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Fortney; her daughter, Carol Ann Thomas, who passed away November 21, 2008; and her parents, Henry and Leota Ver Steegh. Wilma's faith was nurtured at the Friends Church in New Sharon, Iowa and prior to the time of her death she regularly attended the First Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. As a young girl, Wilma enjoyed roller skating and playing the piano and organ and in later years traveling. She was not a joiner but has now joined all those who have joined together in the presence of their Heavenly Father.


For those desiring, memorials may be designated for Hospice of Pella or the Carol Ann Thomas Scholarship Fund.

Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home