Wilma Sophia Toy Hodges went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.
Wilma Sophia Kotila was born on June 9, 1931 in Cokato, Minnesota to Miika and Seliina (Porkola) Kotila; she was a sharp and hard working young woman. Wilma grew up during the depression and learned how to endure and press through very hard times.
Wilma attended French Lake and South Haven elementary schools in Minnesota, and despite having only eight years of public school education, Wilma was brilliant and excelled at everything she put her mind to, especially business management, record keeping, tax preparation, legal research, human resource management, and penmanship. She taught herself to read and write the Finnish language, which she spoke fluently. Wilma kept the tidiest house in town! She was especially known for her fine Finnish cooking, baking, and canning. Wilma loved to polka, play the piano and harmonica, and sing. Coffee clutching with her friends and spending time with people she loved took high priority. She loved her children unconditionally. Her generosity knew no bounds; Wilma was a true definition of a philanthropist.
Wilma moved to Eau Claire in 1947 from South Haven, Minnesota after she married Eldon Verle Gould on October 25, 1947. Together they designed and built several homes in the “Planets” on the North Side of Eau Claire. After her divorce from Verle, Wilma married Reed Hugh Toy on Feb. 18, 1967. While married to Reed, Wilma co-owned and operated Toy’s Scrap & Salvage Corporation until her retirement in 2003. Reed passed in 1991 and Wilma then married Donald Laurin Hodges on Nov. 16, 2002. In later years she, her husband Don, and his sister Muriel teamed up to play and sing together for residents of Meadows Senior Housing and Liberty Senior Housing.
Wilma attended Sunday School and was confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in French Lake, Minnesota. Wilma came to saving faith in Jesus Christ on Sept. 12, 1949. Her spiritual parents were the late Duane and Ethel Cripe of Eau Claire. Wilma was a founding member of Calvary Baptist Church, which she helped build in 1951. Wilma was a strong supporter of the missions and outreach programs of the church and greater community. Wilma was the first woman to be appointed as a trustee at Calvary and served the church in various capacities: Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, choir member, mission board, trustee, deaconess, and mentor to many.
Wilma had eight children: Steven (Susan) Verle Gould, Timothy Alan Gould, Dana Rae Gould Kratochvil, Bobbi Jo Toy Schwagel, Rebecca (Jason) Lynn Keiser, R. Tom Toy (Katie Zimmerman), Renee Suzanne Toy, and Heidi Kristine Toy. Plus, Wilma raised her grandson James as her own child. She also had three stepchildren: John Hodges (Barb), Marilyn Freeman (Jess), and Shiela Hortman. Her special daughter-in-love is Christine Toy.
Wilma’s grandchildren include: Nicole (Paul) Gingras, Troy (Tina) Petry, Andy Gould, Curt Gould, Erika (Jerry) Nowobielski, Dylan Gould, James Toy, Seliina Toy, Timothy Schwagel, Olivia Keiser, Jenna (Braden) Lipke, Josh (Katelyn) Smith, Jake (Katie), Amanda Hodges, and Charlie Hodges.
Wilma’s heritage includes a host of great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren: Benjamin Davis, Chase Gould, Peter Gingras, Angel (Derek) Yaeger, Ella Nowobielski, Isabella Nowobielski, Brandon Gould, Tyler Petry, Carter Petry, Reed Petry, Braylee Lipke, Jayce Lipke, Braylee Rae Beebe, Sadie Hodges, Nova Schroeder, Hudson Yeager, Hailey Yeager, Khloe Smith, Myles Smith, Jack Smith, Leo Smith, and RJ Smith. Wilma’s extended family includes sisters-in-law Grace Kotila, Sharon (Jerome) Bauer, and Nancy Toy. Also, so many nieces, nephews, cousins, and more.
During her last 30 years she developed a close relationship with Pastor John van Gorkom from Calvary, who walked with her through many difficult life events. She was also served faithfully by another Calvary member, Randy Schneider, who assisted her with countless projects and tasks as a dear friend, including “date nights” at Cancun Restaurant on nights when Randy’s wife Laura was watching the Packers. Wilma so enjoyed their special visits. Both called her “Mom.”
Wilma loved to help people and build relationships; she had several “special kids,” including Jayne Christensen, Scott Olson, Mike Lawrence, and Shelly Collins. She also had one “adopted granddaughter,” Qourtnie Ohms.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents Seliina and Mikka Kotila, husband Reed Toy, husband Donald Hodges, ex-husband Eldon “Verle” Gould; daughter Dana (Gould) Kratochvil, son Timothy Gould, great-grand son Benjamin Davis, step-son Steven Hodges, and grandson Charlie Hodges. She was further proceeded in death by nine brothers and sisters: Toivo Kotila, Arvo Kotila, Lempi (Kotila) Davidson, Elsie Swanson, Ailie Wadman, Toivo II Kotila, Urho “Earl” Kotila, Arnie Kotila, Martii “Martin” Kotila, father and mother-in-law, Hugh and Eva Toy.
Funeral services for Wilma will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, at Calvary Baptist Church, 3036 Epiphany Lane, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Visitation will take place that day at the church from 9:30 a.m until the time of service. Committal services will take place later that afternoon at 2:30 p.m at Rest Haven Cemetery in the Town of Washington.
Friends and family may offer condolences online at<\!s>www.hulkefamilyfh.com.
Wilma’s deepest desire was for all her family and friends to know the saving love and grace of Jesus.<\!s>Per Wilma’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in her name to Hope Gospel Mission or Porter Place Ministries.
Thanks to all who assisted Wilma with love and care on her sacred journey home. Qourtnie Ohms, Christy Kahl, Jayne Christensen, Pastor Steve Daggett, Pastor John van Gorkom, Randy Schneider, Interim Hospice, and so many more wonderful people. God bless you all.
Arrangements are by Hulke Family Funeral Home, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.