We regretfully announce the passing of Wilma Knippelmeyer of Fairbury, Nebraska on April 25, 2026. Wilma was surrounded by her family and friends and passed away peacefully.

My mother (Wilma) was one of the strongest, kindest, outgoing women to ever walk this earth and my family was blessed to have her as the head of the family.

She was born on November 3, 1942, to Wilson III and Laverne (Tiedeman) Field. She grew up on their farm southwest of Tecumseh, Nebraska. Wilma loved helping out on the farm and had a strong love for farm animals and especially her horses. Wilma attended the county school located “down the hill from the family farm” and graduated from Tecumseh High School. She met and married James Knippelmeyer in 1960 and they have one child, Larry William Knippelmeyer.

Her parents’ involvement with the local county and Nebraska State Fair (her dad served as a member of the State Fair Board for 29 + years) dictated a strong family tradition of presence at county fairs as well as the Nebraska State Fair. Wilma became very involved as a 4-H member and mentor and started showing at a young age various farm animals/poultry and exhibiting garden products for many years at local fairs and the Nebraska State Fair. She served as the Superintendent of Rabbits and Poultry at the Jefferson County Fair for many years.

Her father’s great love for Black Giant chickens passed on to her and she and Jim, and they showed chickens for many years. Wilma and Jim became involved with the Nebraska State Poultry Association helping with Nebraska Poultry Shows and served as members and past officers of this Association.

Wilma, at the time of her death was still very involved with county fairs, serving as judge for many events and was currently the Horticulture Superintendent at the Nebraska State Fair. She has been honored for her many contributions, receiving awards for;

• - Being on the Jefferson County Fair Board for 49 years
• - Being a Master Gardener for 40 Years
• - Recognized for her many years of involvement with the Lancaster County Fair
• - Becoming the Grand Marshall of the Nebraska State Fair in 2016
• - Being in the Hall of Fame for contributions to the Lancaster County Ag Society
• - Her “I Made a Difference” award for her dedication and commitment to the Jefferson County Fair as Superintendent of Poultry and Rabbits since 1972
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Wilma, Jim and Larry moved to California and Washington for a short while eventually returning back to Fairbury, Nebraska to be with family.

Wilma was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Fairbury, Nebraska, State Fair Superintendent of Horticulture, Master Gardener with local county extension offices, judge and mentor to many 4-H members of local and state fairs. She was also a member of the local Garden Club.

Wilma worked for 33 years for Swingsters, making many good friends during this time. After retiring, Wilma became a Master Gardener for the local extension office and received many awards for her beautiful display of plants and flowers. Wilma was always on the look - out for that unique flower or plant for her garden.

Wilma was a fiercely dedicated grandma and was their biggest cheerleader and constant supporter. She even became a “grand” band-parent to many band members at band competitions.

Wilma is survived by her son Larry and wife Lori Jo, grandchildren Brian and Krysten, Dustin and Bethany, Tiffany and Jeff and Jessica and Elijah, great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Brittany and Alyna; step-grandchildren, Dan and Sarah Dymek, Damien and Carmen Dymek and Randy and Alicia Dymek; step-grandchildren, Brynna and Barrett Dymek, Payten and Danny Dymek, Lilly and Abby Jensen and Cody Burton; and 3 step great-grandchildren; brother Randy and Cindy Field; sisters-in-law Judy Wolfe and Mary Lou Lairmore; brothers-in-law Jim Hauptemeir and Paul Hilmer and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Laverne (Tiedeman) Field; brother Wilson “Eugene” Field, IV, father and mother-in-law Julius and Lula (Myers) Knippelmeyer; brothers and sisters-in-laws Alyce and Warren Chrastil, Elaine and Don Rutt, Jean Hauptemeier, Bonnie Hilmer, Barbara Rawson and Marilyn Knippelmeyer.

Family and friends were important to Wilma. She was an excellent mom, grandmother, sister and friend – supportive, kind, hilarious and witty and we will all miss Wilma dearly. We will never be able to fill the space left behind her.

Services will be Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairbury. The family will greet friends on Wednesday evening from 5 – 7 at the funeral home. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com