Kehrli, Wilma M.

Wilma M. Kehrli, 103, of Manchester, died Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Edgewood Convalescent Home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, Manchester, by the Rev. Mike Manaugh. Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manchester, and one hour before services Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Manchester.

Wilma was born Oct. 23, 1906, in Delaware County, the daughter of John O. and Margaret J. (Scanlon) Johnston. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1924. Wilma taught country school in Delaware County until her marriage to Elmer H. Kehrli on Feb. 18, 1931, at the Methodist parsonage in Manchester. The couple moved to his mother's farm just west of Manchester where they farmed their entire lives. Elmer died Feb. 22, 1985. Wilma continued to live on the farm until she moved to the Edgewood Convalescent Home in 2004.

Wilma was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she was a member of the Women's Circle and taught Sunday school for over 30 years. She belonged to the Friday Afternoon Club and was a 4-H leader and volunteer for over 40 years. Wilma enjoyed sewing and cooking for her family and friends. Her greatest love was her family.

Survivors include three children, Elma (Harold) Schiel of Ames, Wilbur (Judy) Kehrli of Manchester, and Larry Kehrli of New Hampton; four grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John O. and Margaret J. Johnston; husband, Elmer H. Kehrli; two infant sons, Robert Dean and Donald Lee Kehrli; a great-grandson, Kollin Kehrli; five sisters, Maude Airhart, Ida McDowell, Nellie Carradus, Ethel Wall and Ruth Cole; and one brother, Burl Johnston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Sunday school Program at First Presbyterian Church, Manchester.

Please sign the online guest book for Wilma at under obituaries.