Mass of the Resurrection for Lucy Wolterman, 94, of Jefferson was held Feb. 21 at St Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson, with Fr Bill Schreiber presiding. Interment was at St Jospeh Catholic Cemetery in Jefferson. Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
Lucy Josephine Knobbe Wolterman was born October 29, 1931, in Breda. She was the daughter of Rose (Schierholt) Knobbe and Joseph Knobbe. Lucy was one of 12 children in a family where education was highly valued.
Lucy graduated from St. Benard High School in 1949. She attended St. Anthony Nursing School and graduated from nursing school in 1952.
Lucy was united in marriage to Joseph Wolterman of Breda on April 21, 1953, at St. Benard Catholic Church in Breda. They resided in Breda until their move to Greene County in 1959. At that time, she began working at Greene County Medical Center. They were blessed with five children: Mike, Jerry, Kay, Amy and Teresa.
Lucy loved her career. She was director of nursing a good share of this time. She was quick to jump in and help in the emergency room, OB, intensive care or acute nursing when needed. She knew her work as director could be done later; the patients were most important. She always offered prayer for those in her care. When they said no, she did it silently for them.
She encouraged four of her five children to be a nurses’ aide for our first job. We were told it was good pay and a good experience. But what it really was, was an easy call when they were short staffed. She knew she had someone to call in to help and we couldn’t say no, as she knew our plans for the day.
Lucy was a devout Catholic. She prayed daily and had a list of people she prayed for, adding people to the list all the time. When you were on the list, you were on it for life. After retirement and while she was able, she went to daily mass when offered, every weekend, every holy day, every funeral and every chance she could get. She said the Rosary often until the end. When she couldn’t say it anymore, Amy would say it with her. Mom was coherent enough as she would move her fingers on the beads with each prayer. She frequently asked her children and grandchildren if they went to church this week, from the day we left home until the week she passed.
Mom was feisty, sassy and had quick wit. She stood up for what she believed in. She often said what others needed to hear, or, what others were thinking but unwilling to say. In her eyes, she wasn’t doing it for herself, she was doing it for someone she cared deeply for, whether it be a family member, staff member or friend. She always told us, if you don’t stand up for yourself, nobody will.
Nobody loved a good garage sale or auction more than Mom. She loved to spend a little to get a lot and loved to share her finds with others. She loved the fact and told us often that she furnished her California home from garage sales and thrift stores. It was the hunt she loved the most.
Mom and Dad gardened, canned, sewed and mended clothes, and raised animals for butcher to save money. When Dad passed, she asked if she was going to be ok financially. I said, “Mom, you ask Jerry to bring you wheat to grind to make flour, you will be fine.” We all heard many times, that’s what you do when you’re poor.
Mom lived a simple life. She was modest, faithful, thrifty, loved caring for people, loved to entertain family and friends in her younger years, and enjoyed visitors in her later years. She loved to help in any way she could. She had a deep love for her family and friends. Later in life when she was unable to help, she was humbled and would always end the visit with saying thank you for all you do for me.
Lucy Wolterman passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026, in Jefferson. She was 94 years of age. She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Rose Schierholt; her husband Joe; her son Jerry; grandchildren Andrew and David Wolterman; great-grandson Noah Hagen; four brothers; five sisters; and many relatives and friends.
Survivors include her son Mike (Mary) Wolterman; daughters Kay (Tam) Green, Amy (Lloyd) Sessions, and Teresa (Steve) Hagen; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; sisters Barbara McCabe and Karen (Frank) Eason; other relatives and friends. We want to give a special thank you to the staff of the Extended Care Facility at Greene County Medical Center who gave our mom special attention every day she lived there.
