Wilma E. Shade, 90
Wilma Elizabeth Shade, 90, of Austin, died at Adams Health Care Center on Sept. 25, 2008. She was born May 26, 1918 to Frank and Elizabeth (Koch) Thorpe in Kellogg, Minn., where she grew up and attended country school. She married Lester Whitcomb in 1934 in Wabasha. They had four children. Lester died in the early 1970’s. Wilma returned to her studies later in life to earn a high school diploma and worked as a floral designer. On July 6, 1975, she married Victor Shade in Royal Oak, Mich. They moved back to Minnesota in 1981 to live on her husband’s home place south of Austin. Known as “The Parsley Lady,” Wilma enjoyed gardening, flowers and “going to town” to supply the local grocery stores with the fruits of her labor. 
Survivors include her son, LaVerne (Phyllis) Whitcomb, Royal Oak, Mich.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, William Thorpe of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Leonard and Loren; daughter, Nancy; husband, Lester Whitcomb and husband, Victor Shade.
Graveside services will be held at a later date.