Obituary of Wilma Lantz

April 1, 1936 – November 11, 2014Wilma passed away peacefully at River Bend Hospital on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 from complications of a stroke. She was surrounded by family.Wilma was born in Albany, Oregon on April 1, 1936 to Hugo Ehrlich and Olivia (Pompe) Ehrlich. She grew up on the family farm with her two brothers, Hugo Junior and Roger, and she was heavily involved in 4H, winning many awards for her baking and sewing skills. She graduated from Albany Union High School in 1954 and attended OSU for two years before moving to Portland.She married Richard Lantz on May 4, 1958 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albany, Oregon. They returned to Albany soon afterwards and had two children Michael & Sheryl. The family moved to Eugene in 1966.Wilma worked as the secretary at Messiah Lutheran Church before working as a teacher’s aide and then secretary at various schools in the Eugene School District. She owned Bride’s Corner in Oakway Center for many years before semi-retirement where she worked for Harry & David during the holidays and ABTS during tax season.Wilma and Richard were great sports fans and very dedicated supporters of their grandchildren’s teams, especially baseball. They traveled all over the country following the youth and college teams that the kids played and coached for, an activity she continued after Richard’s death in 2006. Wilma also enjoyed volunteering and decorating for events, most recently for special parties where she lived at Camelot Village.Wilma is survived by her son Mike and his wife Sherry of Bend and their children Charity, Spencer and Stewart & grandchildren Kaitlyn and Hunter. Daughter Sheryl Peterson and husband Mark of Eugene and their children Brian, Shawn (Brandy), Kathryn and Cody & grandson Carter. She is also survived by her brother Roger Ehrlich and his wife Shari of McMurray, Pennsylvania and her nephew Kevin (Mary) of San Gabriel, California.Wilma will be laid to rest during a graveside service at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens in Albany, Oregon at 10:00 Wednesday, November 19th and her life will be celebrated with a service at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Eugene at 1:00, with fellowship to follow. Memorial contributions can be made to the Pediatric Excellence Fund.The family is encouraging ladies to wear purple which was Wilma’s favorite color.