Wilma Northup Obituary

Wilma Rosette (Van Orsdall) Northup, 94, a longtime resident of Ollie, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney. Wilma was born in Morristown, Minnesota on March 16, 1931, where her parents farmed. They later moved to rural Sigourney, then to Ollie, where she helped her parents run their family restaurant, and graduated from Ollie High School in 1949. She then went to work as a file clerk for Central Life Insurance in Des Moines, until she married her high school sweetheart, Billy Northup, in The Little Chapel Around the Corner in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 1, 1950. They planned to start their new life together in Los Angeles, but that adventure didn't last long, and they moved back to Ollie where they homesteaded out on Tic Ridge.
While the couple were busy raising 4 boys, Wilma worked in a factory in Washington, Iowa, making transistor radios, then she went on to get her Culinary Arts Degree from Indian Hills Community College, enhancing her skills as a wonderful and accomplished cook. She later became a health aide and caregiver for those seniors' needing assistance throughout Keokuk County. When Wilma and Billy retired, they enjoyed 21 years as "Winter Texans."
Like Billy, Wilma always stayed close to her Ollie roots, with Faith and Family always coming first. She was a lifelong member of the Ollie United Methodist Church and Prairie View Church, being active in Bible Studies and United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Order of The Eastern Star, Ollie Chapter No. 549, for nearly 70 years, serving in several offices and as a past Grand Representative. Wilma was an avid supporter of athletics, fine arts, and music at Pekin Community Schools and the Dutch at Central College in Pella, where Wilma and Billy were named Honorary Alumni in 2011, having sent all four of their boys there.
Wilma is survived by her boys, Norm (Sharon), Phil (Lynn), Billy Van (Lisa), and Bo (Julie); 7 grandchildren, Andrew Northup, Emily Northup, Kayla (Rory) Patchin, Trenton Northup, Trever Northup, Lauren Northup and Jake Northup; 3 great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Zelda and Maverick Patchin, and one due in July; and many nieces and nephews.
Wilma was preceded in death by her partner of 74 years, Billy, on April 18, 2025; her parents, Frank and Bernice (Parrish) Van Orsdall; an infant son; sisters Grace Vandament, Lena Steen, Velda Seevers, Lillian Helferty, and Janet Peck, and brothers Glenn and Ralph Van Orsdall.
A joint visitation will be held for Billy and Wilma on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 3:00-6:30 P.M. at Prairie View Church, 27131 IA-78, Ollie IA, 52576, with family present at 4:30. Masonic Services will then be held for Billy at 6:30 P.M. A joint Celebration of Life will be held Saturday morning at Prairie View at 10:30, followed by a light lunch.
Memorials may be made to Ollie O.E.S. Chapter No. 549, or the Van Orsdall-Northup Music Scholarship at Central College, and be mailed to the family at PO Box 833, Packwood, IA 52580.