SAYING GOODBYE TO 'OUR GIRL'
Memorial service honors life of Wilma Nissen

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
June 8, 2006

ROCK RAPIDS - A memorial service was held June 3 for a woman known in Rock Rapids as "their girl."

The body of Wilma June Nissen was found outside of Rock Rapids in October of 1978. At the time, she was labeled as Jane Doe.

Almost 28 years later, Wilma was identified and her family and friends were able to come for the memorial service to honor her life.

Those gathered at the memorial service included Marshall and Maxine Holte, former foster parents; Starla Patterson, a friend of Wilma's daughter; Craig Binson, who was sheriff when Wilma was found; and many Rock Rapids residents. Among the Rock Rapids residents included the couple on whose farm Wilma was found and many others who have been bringing flowers to Wilma's grave.

Father Jeff Schleisman, pastor at Holy Name in Rock Rapids and St. Mary's in Larchwood, presided at the service at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

"Our sister, Wilma Nissen, has gone to her rest in the peace of Christ," prayed Father Schleisman. "May God now welcome her to the table of God's children in heaven with faith and in hope in eternal life. Let's assist Wilma with our prayers. Let us pray also to the Lord for ourselves. May we who mourn be reunited one day with Wilma Nissen."

During the memorial service, two hymns were sung by those gathered and petitions and the Our Father were prayed.

"Today there is a mystery that we are faced with. The mystery of Wilma Nissen's death," said the priest. "Wilma's death is just a sleep. It is not the end because when the Holtes had Wilma baptized she was given a spiritual life, a new birth. In baptism, Wilma became a member of Christ's own body."

Father Schleisman thanked Sheriff Blythe Bloemendaal of Lyons County for all the work he has done to help bring "this mystery of death to a closing. I know, as you know, that someday justice will come to this person."

"I would like to point out the comparisons between Wilma Nissen and Jesus," said the priest. "Both were born into this world. Both were formed in the womb and known by God. Both had foster parents...Both traveled from place to place. Both died by the hands of another. Both are God's children. Both were visited by loved ones."

Father Schleisman explained that the service was held to help the family come to a conclusion and help them in their grief and sorrow. It was also to allow them, for the first time, to come to Wilma's grave.

At the conclusion of the service, Bloemendaal presented the Holtes, Patterson and Binson with roses to put on Wilma's grave. Each of them also released a balloon in her memory. Marshall Holte sang a hymn.

"Somehow, someway I hope that today we have taken away the words, unidentified female, and putting Wilma Nissen on this gravesite will now allow her to rest in peace," said Bloemendaal.

Wilma June Nissen was born Oct. 19, 1954 in San Francisco, Calif. to June Nissen and Charles Nissen, both deceased. She and her younger sister Mona spent much of their childhood in separate foster homes.

In December of 1964, when Wilma was 10, she was placed with Maxine and Marshall Holte, foster parents in Anaheim, Calif. The Holtes were able to attend the service in remembrance of Wilma.

The couple described Wilma as a happy, bubbly child who learned quickly.

Wilma was only able to stay with the Holtes for two years, but kept in touch with them until she was about 22. The Holtes were able to see her once or twice a year for a birthday or to take her to the park.

"I think it is a pleasure to be here to honor Wilma because she brought so much love and happiness to our home," said Maxine.

Wilma was put in several foster homes after 1966. Her final foster home was with Vince and Alice Haas. From that point on, Wilma's life is kind of "sketchy" according to authorities working on her case.

It is known that Wilma was married at least once. She married Robert Irvin (now deceased) on June 21, 1977 in California. In August of 1977, Wilma gave birth to Crystal Joy Irvin. Crystal (Krissi) was adopted by Vince and Alice Haas a short time later.

Wilma's daughter, Krissi, was not able to attend the memorial service. According to Bloemendaal, she sent her apologies. The sheriff said that one day Krissi hopes to visit her birth mother's grave.

Following the memorial service, the media was able to talk to the family during a press conference in Rock Rapids. Bloemendaal updated the media about the investigation and thanked them for their coverage. There was a timeline of Wilma's life on the dry erase board in the room to help explain the most recently discovered events.

After the update, the floor was open to ask the family questions about Wilma, her life and their time in Iowa.

"For the past 30 years, we have been praying for Wilma and wondering why she didn't contact us," said Marshall. "Did something happen to her? Though it is not what we would like to hear, at least we know. That is closure to us."

Patterson recounted how she found out about Wilma and what she has discovered since then. She was the person to tell Krissi that Wilma had died.

"I had been looking for Krissi's mom for a long time," said Patterson.

At the end of the press conference, Bloemendaal announced that he recently received a letter from someone who had seen Wilma on Aug. 26, 1978, about two months before the body was discovered and reported to authories. The letter was not signed and did not have a return address.

"I appreciate the fact that you are sending information in and you feel like you have done your duty," said Bloemendaal. "It needs to go a step further. I have to have contact with you. I need you to do the right thing and call me. I will keep your identity concealed. If you actually saw this body, I have to talk to you. It is a piece of the investigation that we cannot go on without."