Wilma Nowotny

Wilma Nowotny

Victor

Wilma Nowotny, 96, of Murrieta, Calif., and formerly of Victor, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Aug. 2, 2022. A private family graveside service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Victor Memorial Cemetery in Victor. Condolences may be shared with Wilma’s family on the Smith Funeral Home website at www.smithfh.com.

Wilma Ruth (Stone) Nowotny was born on Jan. 5, 1926, in Missoula, Mont. When she was a young child, her parents moved to Eagle Rock, Calif., where she grew up.

She met Elmer Nowotny when he was working in California. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. They were married on Aug. 7, 1943, in Carlsbad, N.M. When the war was over, they moved to Iowa, where they farmed west of Victor, Iowa, and raised three children.

Wilma and Elmer took over Carnforth Inn from Elmer’s mother, Agnes in 1968. She was known for her pie baking, for the restaurant, for her wedding and birthday cake baking and decorating and for her many salad recipes. She was a 4-H leader for many years. Wilma lived her last 10 years in Murrieta, Calif., with her oldest daughter Linda Volpone.

Wilma is survived by three children, Linda Valpone of Murrieta, Calif., Jeanette (Arthur) Betz of Grapeland, Texas, and Ray (Rachel) Nowotny of Victor, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Mike, Carrie, Nick, Lynnette, Wendy, John, Rick and Rob; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Kenny Stone; and many nieces and nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, in 1992; her parents, Stanley and Blossom Stone; in-laws, Wesley and Agnes Nowotny; sisters, Betty and Barbara; and brother, James.