Wilma Joyce Blodgett

Wilma Joyce Blodgett

Wilma Joyce Blodgett, 77 of Kirksville passed away Sunday (January 15, 2012) at Kirksville Manor Care.

The daughter of Hulbert Gordon and Mary “Molly” (Waddill) Dixon, she was born December 15, 1934 in Green City, Missouri. On November 17, 1953 in the home of Reverend Ralph Smith in Kirksville she was united in marriage to Arnold L. Blodgett.

Joyce is survived by three sons, Danny Blodgett and Sue Robinson of Kirksville, Steve Blodgett and wife Susan of Baring, MO, and Terry Blodgett of Blue Springs, MO; one daughter, Joy (Blodgett) Conyers of Lees Summit, MO; one brother, Vernon Dixon of Dixon, IL; three sisters-in-law, Sue Dixon of Dixon, IL, Nadine Dixon of Browning, MO and Edith Dixon of Monroe, IA; nine grandchildren, Alex Blodgett of Pinedale, WY, Jeremy (Erin) Blodgett of Chicago, IL, Cassie (Gabe) Roe of Ozark, MO, Christopher Blodgett of St. Joseph, MO, Michelle (Jake) Buhr of Columbia, MO, Danielle (Brian) Greubel of Eldon, MO, Terra (Michael) Strother of Lake of Ozark, MO, Ryan and Quinton Conyers of Lees Summit, MO; four great grandchildren, Jacob Buhr, Lucas Buhr, Braylee Strother and Levi Roe and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold on December 30, 2008; six brothers and four sisters.

Joyce was reared in Browning, MO and graduated from Browning High School in 1953. She pursed a nursing degree at Northeast Missouri State University and was a nurse at Laughlin and Grim Smith Hospitals in Kirksville. She and Arnold owned and operated Leo’s Roller Rink and Square Deal Antiques until retirement.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Kirksville where she was a Sunday school teacher, attended to the church nursery for several years, was a member of the Senior Songsters and participated with the Living Christmas tree. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, master gardeners and Beta Sigma Phi. She enjoyed bowling, sewing, quilting, antique restoration, outdoor gardening, cooking, canning, puzzles, oil painting and was an avid orchid and African violet grower. She was always expected to provide apple cake, homemade noodles, and scalloped oysters at family gatherings.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday (January 19, 2012) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Marty Joplin officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Alex Blodgett, Jeremy Blodgett, Christopher Blodgett, Ryan Conyers, Quinton Conyers and Joe Pierce. Honorary bearers will be Danielle Greubel, Cassie Roe, Terra Strother and Michelle Buhr.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the Central MO Kidney Association in Honor of the Kirksville Dialysis Clinic.