Rilma Hummel

Rilma Hummel, the daughter of William Howard and Gladys Glee (Turner) Hummel, was born in Council Bluffs, IA on May 4, 1929 and died at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE on December 22, 2010 at the age of 81 years, 7 months, and 18 days.

Rilma's mother died shortly after her birth and initially, her aunt and uncle Myrle and Omar Huffman raised Rilma. Rilma lived in Iowa City for a short time, before living in Beatrice, NE and eventually settling in Omaha, NE.

Rilma loved to work with the public and had worked as a volunteer with the Salvation Army. She also gave speeches a various community organizations regarding self-advocacy. She served in the Foster Grandparent Program for Girls, Inc. in Omaha and was the first foster grandparent placed through a special program financed by the Nebraska Dept of Health whose purpose was to develop, implement and enhance services to older adults with developmental disabilities. Rilma was very much loved by the girls at the northeast Omaha facility. She played games with them, helped them with crafts and passed out milk to the hungry youngsters at lunch time. The children often sought her approval on some of the art they created. Rilma especially loved spending time with her family and loved celebrating Christmas.

Rilma is survived by her brother Kenneth Hummel and wife Peggy of Council Bluffs, IA; her sisters-in-law Helen Hummel of Oakland, IA and Ruby Dell Hummel of Scribner, NE; her church family; her Encore family; and her family at the Salvation Army. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Rilma is preceded in death by her brothers: Everett "Sport", Harry, Don, Jack, and Norman; her sisters: Glenda, Veryldene, and Marge; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Omaha Nebraska Stake Center, 14680 California Circle, Omaha, NE. Visitation with the family will be held starting one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will take place at the Oaklawn Cemetery at Oakland, IA on Tuesday at 2:00 PM.