Wilma Marie Lien

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 11:47 pm

Wilma Marie Lien, age 93, of Ossian, IA, passed away on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Ossian Senior Hospice.

Wilma was born April 29, 1929, to Christian J. and Hilda J. (Chilson) Ohnstad, on the family farm outside Florence, SD. The ninth of ten siblings, Wilma grew up on the family farm attending country school in Codington County and graduating from high school in Florence, SD. Upon graduation she moved to Fargo, ND, where she worked in several clerical positions until the time of her marriage.While serving as her sister’s Maid of Honor, Wilma, met the Best Man from Iowa who became the love of her life. She and Curtis D. Lien were married March 8, 1952, at Goodhue Lutheran Church, Florence, SD, where she had also been baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

Wilma moved to lowa following her marriage where she and Curtis farmed the Lien family farm until they retired to Decorah in 1986. To this union five children were born. Wilma strengthened and shared her strong faith as an active member of Springfield Lutheran Church serving many years as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher as well as holding multiple positions in Ladies Aid/WELCA/Bible Study.Wilma took great pride in providing an immaculate home. She took as much pride in maintaining her yard as she did the inside of the house. She was also an accomplished seamstress making many clothes for the family as well as helping out others with alterations. As her children left home, she began providing day care to children of neighbors, friends and family saying that she “provided a home away from home” while the parents worked. She worked for a brief time in the Dietary Department of the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital when they retired to Decorah. Her love of children won out and she returned to providing daycare with Curt helping and enjoying it as much as she did as their daycare children became like family to them.

Wilma is survived by her children: Kristi (Richard) Brandt, Sioux Falls, SD; Randy Lien, Ames, IA; Kelly (Sandra) Lien, Castalia, and Ricky (Melissa) Lien, Hudson, Wis.; 10 grandchildren: Matthew Brandt (Annette Brandt), Megan (Matthew) Henges, Timothy (Amanda) Lien, Joseph (Caitlyn) Lien, Christian (Samantha, Fiancee’) Lien, Emmy Lien, Trygve (Amy) Lien, Anna-Britt (Jacob) Sander, Alexander Lien and Samantha Lien; and eight great-grandchildren: Charlotte Henges, Elizabeth Henges, Isaiah Brandt, Kinsley Lien, Willa Lien, Sylvia Lien, Hazel Lien and Reylynne Lien. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law: Alton and RuthAnn Hillesland of Sidney, MT, and Alden and Helen Lien of La Crosse, WI, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis, in 2009 and a son who died at infancy, Her parents, Christian .J & Hilda .J Ohnstad, her parents-in-law, Gullick G. and Anne C. Lien, three brothers. Lester, Carroll and an infant brother, and six sisters: Stella Valberg, Helen Miller, Clarice Weishaar, Gladys Bates, Grace Torresdal and Harriet Hillesland.