Constance "Connie" Wichman

Constance “Connie” Ilene (Gaede) Wichman, 92, of Henry County, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Vancrest Nursing Home in Holgate. Born February 7, 1934, in Richfield Township, she was the only child of Franklyn and Geraldine (Hull) Gaede. She was baptized in March 1934 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Napoleon, and confirmed in April 1946 at Peace Lutheran Church, Deshler. Her Christian faith remained the foundation of her life and guided her love for her family, church, and community. She graduated from Deshler High School in 1951 and continued her education at Fort Wayne International Business College, studying private secretarial work. On November 15, 1953, she married her college sweetheart, Orlan R. Wichman. Soon after their wedding, he was deployed with the United States Army to Korea and Japan for 14 months. When he returned home, they settled on her family farm, where they built a wonderful life together and raised their four children. Connie was a faithful longtime member of Peace Lutheran Church and the Ladies of Peace. She served her community as a 4-H advisor for many years and was the first secretary to the school superintendent when HOPE School was established. She was also a member of the Bavarian Club, Hamler Wide Awake Club, Hamler Historical Society, Hamler American Legion, Lutheran Historical Society, Low German Club, Right to Life, among others. Family was always the heart of Connie’s life, and she treasured every opportunity to gather with those she loved. She is survived by four children: Kevin (Dalida) Wichman, Southport, NC, Kelli (Keith) Kuntz, Wauseon, OH, Kristi (Paul) Moses, Lake Charles, LA, and Keith (Jewell) Wichman, Spring Lake, MI; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marlene (Wayne) Hahn, Leander, TX, and Jan Galbraith, Austin, TX. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Orlan; her parents, Franklyn and Geraldine Gaede; and her in-laws, Harold and Esther Wichman. Visitation will be held at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 1-4 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church, Deshler, with Pastor Kurtis Freimuth officiating. A meal will be served immediately following the service. A private graveside service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Napoleon, Ohio. Memorial contributions can be made to Peace Lutheran Church and Hamler Historical Society. Connie will be remembered for her enduring faith, her loving devotion to her family, and the kindness that defined her life. Her memory will be cherished by those who were blessed to know and love her.

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Constance "Connie" Wichman

February 7, 1934 - July 28, 2026