Wilma Esther Deckard Koplin Frederickson

Wilma Esther Deckard Koplin Frederickson, 100, beloved wife, mother, daughter, and grandmother, passed away September 7, 2017, at her home in Sandy, Utah, surrounded by her family.
She was born July 29, 1917, in Gannett, Idaho, to Ira Hershel Deckard and Rosa Jane Mackie. She was the third of eight children. She was raised in Hailey, Idaho where she attended the local high school. She played girls’ basketball during high school at a time when girls were just breaking into the sporting world. As a teenager and young adult, Wilma worked at the Golden Rule Mercantile in Hailey, Idaho. She grew up attending the local Baptist church with her family.
Wilma met her first husband, Ed, while working at the Arm’s Plant during World War II. He brought three children to the marriage, Edward, Clair (Karla), Tami. They married in 1944, and a year later Wilma was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly after the birth of their second child, Ed was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away on June 5, 1950.
Wilma was involved in the Garden Park Ward and worked at a local drug store when she first met David Frederickson. She fell in love with him on their first date after seeing his commitment to protecting and loving both his own children and hers. They were married on March 7, 1952 and brought together two families, with a total of 6 young children, to rise above the tragedies that both families had experienced. They worked together to instill unity, love, and devotion among their children. Dave and Wilma were married for 41 years, building a strong family foundation and teaching by their loving examples. They had the wonderful opportunity to serve a LDS Mission together in Texas.
She remained active in church, giving her full heart to the callings she held. Her service included callings in the Young Women’s program, Relief Society President, and many, many others. She was always prepared to keep little ones quiet during church, and spent many years doing genealogy. Following Dave’s death in 1993, Wilma relocated from their family home on Laird Avenue to Sandy, Utah.
Wilma had an amazing love for life. She was the oldest and most avid Jazz fan, even attending a live game in person shortly before her 100th birthday. She enjoyed many hobbies including crochet, crafting, puzzles, word searches, sewing, quilting, learning to play the organ, and attending lunch with the Railroad Wives Club. She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, walks to the Dairy Queen, chocolate cake with milk, and every single visit from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved them all. She could often be seen popping out her false teeth to make a crying baby laugh, singing songs and playing games with the younger ones, and telling amazing stories to anyone who was listening. Wilma retained all her mental capacities until the end of her life, calling people by name and telling them each how much they were loved. She was sharp and had an incredible memory. Her zest for life was felt by each person that came into her life, and she was fondly called “Grandma” by almost everyone.
One of the greatest joys of her life was her family. Her family of 6 kids grew to include 36 grandchildren, 115 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. She dearly loved them all.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Rosa; her husbands, Edward George Koplin and David Coulam Frederickson; her siblings, Ival, Oral, John, Thelma, and Avon; children, Edward and Clair Koplin; Sons in law, Larry Robbins Leishman and Kelven Emerson Keleher; a daughter in law Joyce Gerber Frederickson; and grandson, John Robbins Leishman.
She is survived by her siblings, Joyce Allen and Lloyd Deckard; children, David (Dee), Robert (Teresa), Carol, Kerris (Julie), Mary, and Mike (Sue).
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ashley, Merilee, Shannan, Allie, Mickaela, Ginie and others with Hospice Care and Visiting Angels for their compassionate care and empathy towards our sweet mother.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 11, 2017, at the Crescent 9th Ward building, 10375 S Leilani Drive, Sandy, Utah, with a viewing held prior to the service from 10:00 am – 10:40 am. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn, Salt Lake City Utah.
Service Information
Viewing September 11, 2017 at 10:00 - 10:45 AM
Crescent 9th Ward, 10375 S. Leilani Drive, Sandy, UT





Funeral Service
September 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Crescent 9th Ward, 10375 S. Leilani Drive, Sandy, UT