Maria C. Willms

Maria C. Willms, age 81 of Westfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at her home. She was born on June 21, 1944 in Milwaukee the oldest of 3 children to Eugene and Cecilia (Lemmer) Palmer. Maria married her soulmate, Ron Willms on October 3, 1964 in Caledonia. They were married for 54 years and built a life full of love, trust, and family. Maria and Ron were blessed with 3 children Rhonda, Tim, and Jenny. Family was everything and she enjoyed spending time with their 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Thru Maria’s life she held various jobs from working as a pressmen, nursing, and farming. Maria and Ron’s true passion was farming and owned a cabbage and cash crop farm with their lifelong friends, Willms and Engelbart Farms in Caledonia. She prided herself being an active farmers wife from pick your own vegetables to market twice weekly. Maria and Ron retired in 2003 and moved to their log cabin home in Westfield. During retirement she loved gardening, traveling, and reading. Maria was also an active member of many clubs and leagues which included Westfield Whitetrackers, Caledonia Sno-Lords Snowmobile Clubs, Marquette County ATV Club, horseshoe, dart, pool, and bowling leagues. She was extremely competitive and placed 2nd at the World Horseshoe Tournament in Wyoming.

Maria is survived by her three children, Rhonda (Craig) Lechner, Timothy (Pamela) Willms and Jennifer (James) Nelson; six grandchildren, Lindsay (Steven) Olig, Joline (Brandon) Lind, Justin (Jackie) Willms, Casandra (Rick) Casso, Evan and Caden Nelson; twelve great grandchildren, Juven, Julian, Lilly, Riley, Aubree, Bella, Miah, Frankie, Reagan, Callan, Cooper, and Cohen. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, brother and her grandson, Randall Willms.

“Full of life and sass with a heart devoted to her Catholic faith, she sent everyone off with her signature blessing, ‘travel with angels’—and when it was her time, she traveled with them herself.”

She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Westfield with Father Randy Timmerman officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Inurnment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Town of Springfield at a later date.

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