Wilma Rachel (Van Hall) Manning

Wilma Rachel Manning, 99, of Newton died on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at Park Centre.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 19, 2021, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Lynnville Historical Society, First Presbyterian Church, or to Gigi’s Playhouse may be left at the funeral home. 

Wilma, the daughter of Dick and Rikie (Swank) Van Hall, was born on April 30, 1922, in Tracy. She lived in Sully and Lynnville growing up and graduated from Lynnville High School. During high school she was an accomplished basketball player, playing in two state basketball tournaments. In 1943, Wilma moved to Newton. While she was dating Earl Ferguson they managed a roller skating rink and were talented roller skate dancers. They were married in 1948 in Newton. Following Earl’s death, Wilma was united in marriage with George Manning in 1960 in Newton. Wilma worked for 30 years at the Maytag Company as a Timekeeper and a Tool Order Clerk, retiring in 1979. She was a member of the Maytag fast pitch softball team. She was also a member of the Lynnville Historical Society, Jasper County Historical Society, Moose Lodge, and the First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed camping, camp fires, fishing, mushroom hunting, and making afghans and quilts. 

Wilma is survived by her son, Randy (Barbara) Ferguson of Newton; step-daughter, Liz Wegner of Newton; grandchildren, Landon (Nicole) Ferguson of Newton, Collin Ferguson of Newton, and Lauren Ferguson of Newton; step-grandchildren, John (Teri) Wegner of Springfield, Illinois and Beverly (Steve) Fritz of Omaha, Nebraska; great-grandson, Leo Ferguson; step-great-grandchildren, Meghan Wegner, Lucy Wegner, Riley Fritz, and McKinley Fritz; and her seven nieces and four nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Earl Ferguson; second husband, George Manning; her sisters, Bertha (Bernard) Simmons, Jennie (James) Wilson, Margaret (Henry) Spalink, and Julia (Leland) Smith; brother, Richard (Shirley) Van Hall; three nieces, and one nephew. 

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