Wilma Grace Katko

Wilma was born in an adobe home in Fort Garland, Colorado, to Maximeno and Elvira Chavez.

Wilma graduated from Ft. Garland High School in 1952 and started her career working in hospitals on her mom’s advice. She began at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado, helping the nursing staff. She then gravitated to the dietary and nutrition part of taking care of patients. Wilma moved again to Colorado Springs to work in hospitals, finally ending in Denver. In Denver, she met the love of her life, Air Force Servicemen Francis Joseph Katko, and they married in 1955. Wilma became a homemaker and mother. Francis and Wilma moved to Air Force bases all over: starting in Arizona, Spain, California, Texas, then finally Wyoming. After Francis retired from the Air Force in1970, the family moved to White Rock, N.M. Wilma reunited with her big brother and sister-in-law, Max Jr., and Ruth Chavez and family. Wilma then started work at Los Alamos Medical Center in the Dietary department until her retirement.

Wilma enjoyed playing any sound or tune on her Casio piano, listening to the music of her day, cake, and attending church. Women’s Auxiliary (American Legion). Praying the Rosary, adoration, Linen service, and providing salads and food for funeral receptions and calling friends: Josie, Concha, Oralia, Lucille, and many others. Wilma was devoted to her Catholic Faith and family; her presence is already tremendously missed!

Wilma Grace was preceded in death by her parents, husband Francis Joseph, son Francis Jr., and daughter Mary P. (Sanchez) Katko. Siblings and Spouses: Max Jr. and Ruth Chavez, Robert and Barbara Chavez, Louise (Chavez) Duarte, Leroy Chavez, Lenora (Chavez) Apodaca, Anna (Chavez) and Dennis Roth, Randall Chavez, Nieces: Lucille Chavez, Maxine Duarte. Grandson: Zachary Sanchez. Her In-laws survive Wilma: Dr. Abie Duarte, Colorado; Kathy Chavez, North Carolina; Paul Apodaca Sr. Tucson AZ, Children: Michael and Debbie (Mortensen) Katko, Mark and Martha (Silbert) Katko, Matthew and Carrie (Dieringer) Katko, Marv and Kim (Ruud) Katko, Maximeno J. Katko, Maurice and Barbara (McCormick) Katko. Special Friends: Lonni (d.) Mikki and Michael Sale. Grandchildren: Miranda (Scott) Fuqua, Mitzi (Errol) Cohn, Benjamin Katko, Lisa (Katko), Langston, Jesse (Natasha), Katko, Courtney (Zachary) Stimson, Gabriel, Samuel, Marlee Katko, Maurice Katko Jr., Kanisha (Alex) Vogel. Great-Grandchildren: Ty Young, Adam, Thomas, Kim, Raelynn, Jania, Jameson, Kacie, Chance, Jacob, Ava, and Logan.

The Rosary will be prayed Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos, NM. The follwing day, Friday June 3rd, please join us for Mass at 10 a.m.

The Katko family plans to lay Wilma to rest at the S.F. National Cemetery with husband, Francis Joseph.

Please consider donating to the Christian Concern Committee of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church or a favorite charity of your choosing. God Bless and thank you to those who have shown immense support, love, and prayers for our family at this time.

Love and Prayers!