Wilma Dodge

Mrs. Wilma Dodge of Wheelock passed away Friday evening, April 29, 2016 surrounded by family and friends at the age 83. She was born in Lyndon, Vermont on October 2, 1932, the daughter of Leonard and Dorothy (Davis) Mitchell.

Wilma and Ronald Jenkins Sr. were married for 32 years until his passing in 1982. They were the parents of four children: daughter Susan Gauthier of St. Johnsbury, son Ronald Jenkins Jr. of St. Johnsbury, son Blakely Jenkins and Robin Magoon of St. Johnsbury, and daughter Sherry Jenkins and Troy Lamirand of Wheelock.

Wilma's first husband, who she was predeceased by, was a firefighter in St., Johnsbury, and for many years it was Wilma's duty, at all hours of the day and night, to call in the volunteer firemen for the St. Johnsbury Fire Department. While her children were growing up, Wilma worked as a waitress at several St. Johnsbury restaurants, including Ned's Steak Grill. She also did all the paperwork for Ronald's paint contracting business that he started in 1960.

Wilma married Ralph Dodge on May 25, 1984, and their marriage lasted 32 years. During that time Wilma enjoyed traveling all around the country, from Maine to Arizona, from Wyoming to Florida, and many places in between. She especially enjoyed camping each October for many years at the Fryeburg fair in Maine.

Wilma was a public servant, working as a Lister for the Town of Wheelock for more than 10 years. During her tenure on the job, she and the two other Listers completed a property reappraisal for the town. She was very proud that only three grievances were filed in response to the reappraisal work. Wilma also was very fond of family gatherings and hosting barbecues and corn roasts at their home. She enjoyed knitting and made many hats and mittens for the St. J. Santa Fund. She also enjoyed ceramics, baking, and you could also find her in the many flower and vegetable gardens. Donuts were a specialty and you were lucky if you got one before Blake ate all the dough.

Wilma is survived by her husband, Ralph Dodge of Wheelock, and her four children and their families. She is also survived by Ralph's children: Linda Penniman of St. Johnsbury, Stephen Dodge of Texas, and Ralph Dodge III of Minnesota and Cynthia Willey of St. Johnsbury; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wilma is also survived by two sisters: Wanita Bragdon of Wheelock and Joyce Bickford and her husband Harold, of Glen, NH and a brother James Mitchell of Wheelock, and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by three sisters, Betty, Dotty and Ethel and her brother, Dale Mitchell.

Visiting hours will be held in Lyndonville at the Guibord Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held in Lyndonville on Thursday, May 5, at 1:00 p.m. at the Guibord Funeral Home with the Pastor George Lawson officiating.

Committal services will follow at the Woodmont Cemetery in East Burke.

Memorial contributions should be directed to Northeast Kingdom Santa Fund c/o Passumpsic Bank.

Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.guibordfh.com

The Guibord Funeral Home is located on the corner of Main and Center Streets in Lyndonville.