Wilma Kellner Kanter Ziegenbein, a lifelong resident of New Ulm, passed away on July 1, 2021, at the age of 105 years. She was born on April 21, 1916, the daughter of Oscar Kellner and Bertha Brettschneider Kellner. She was baptized and confirmed by Pastor Otto Lindenberg at St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Wilma graduated from New Ulm High School in 1934, and then completed 12th grade at Sealy High School where she graduated in 1935.

After completing premedical coursework at the University of Texas at Austin, she was accepted into the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, but instead chose to graduate with a Permanent Teacher’s Certificate in 1939 and began teaching science and math in the Austin Public School system. She eventually returned to New Ulm, and in September 1941, she married Lawrence Kanter of Cleveland, Ohio. At the end of World War II, when Lawrence returned to civilian life, the couple made their home in New Ulm at the Kellner homestead. Lawrence opened Kanter’s Cabinet Shop and Wilma stayed at home to care for her growing family and her parents. In the 1950s she began teaching Grades 1 through 4 at the New Ulm School, until the school was closed in 1968. She and Lawrence then enjoyed several years of traveling in the United States until Lawrence’s death in 1980.

In 1985, she married Gilbert Ziegenbein, and they lived in Wilma’s family home and continued Wilma’s love of traveling. Wilma was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church of New Ulm, active in the Sunday School and women’s organizations. She was also a generous supporter of the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department, the New Ulm Water Supply Corporation and Festival Hill in Round Top.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lawrence Kanter and husband Gilbert Ziegenbein, and her son L. Erick Kanter. She is survived by her daughter Jeanette Kanter Fair and husband Victor, granddaughter Erika Restivo and husband Alan and great-grandson Finn, all of New Ulm, and daughter-in-law Mary Anne Kanter of Arlington, VA.

The family asks that donations made in her memory be directed to St. John Lutheran Church of New Ulm, the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department, or the Round Top Festival Institute.

Visitation with the family was held on Thursday, July 8, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. at Knesek Family Funeral Chapel in Bellville. Graveside service was held on Friday, July 9, 2021, at 11 a.m. at New Ulm Cemetery in New Ulm, Texas, Rev. Mark Groves officiated the service.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Knesek Bros. Funeral Chapel, 842 East Main St., Bellville, TX 77418, 979- 865-3121, www.knesekfuneralhome.com.