Wilma Alice King

Wilma King, age 99, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2026, at Bethany Lutheran Home. She was born April 1, 1927, to Guy and Mable (James) Draper in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

In 1949, Wilma graduated from Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing, earning her nursing degree. She devoted more than 40 years to caring for children as a pediatric nurse at Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Her nursing career began during an era when iron lungs were still in use and continued through many changes in medicine. Her years of service touched the lives of countless children and their families.

In addition to her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by her son, Michael Lloyd King; and siblings, Donald Richard Draper (Sylvia), James Robert Draper (Lois Ward), Frances Ann Draper, Charles Lewis Draper (Alice), William Leslee Draper (Katherine Dodge), Jack Elwood Draper (Helen Harding), and Floyd Everett Draper (Tamara Joan).

Wilma is survived by her sons, Steven King (Eunice Philbin-King), Roger King (Mary Boeckman-King), and Jay King (Julie Bobby-King); daughter-in-law, Sue King; seven grandchildren, Anthony (Bobbie), Andy (Caela), Rustin (Sarah), Sommer, Rachel (Nicholas), Jacob (Samantha), and Shelby (Joshua); eight great-grandchildren, Eben, Rowen, Elizabeth, Jacob, Jack, Lucille, Laurel, and Lucas; and many loved nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 1, 2027, on what would have been Wilma's 100th birthday, at Cedarlawn Cemetery, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The service will include a Nurses Honor Guard presentation in recognition of her years of dedication to nursing. A celebration of life will follow at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home & Crematory in Council Bluffs, Iowa.