Wilma J. Lathrop

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our mother, grandmother, & aunt, Wilma Jean Lathrop, 95, of Olathe, Kansas, who died peacefully in her sleep on August 12, 2026.

Wilma was born on February 19,1931, in Junction City, Kansas, the sixth of seven children of Frank and Mary Boller. She grew up on a farm near Junction City where she had, by her telling, a charmed childhood. Along with her siblings, Wilma attended Enterprise School, a one room grade school, down the road from their farm. Later at St. Xavier Catholic High School in Junction City, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Lathrop. They were involved students, serving as president and vice-president of their class. Wilma studied home economics and secretarial training at Marymount College in Salina, Kansas and recalled this college year as life changing, as it introduced her to a broader world.

On June 4, 1952, Wilma and Bob were married in a small ceremony at St. Xavier Church before Bob shipped out for Army paratrooper training. During his time in the service they lived at Fort Campbell in Hopkinsville, Kentucky where Wilma worked as a secretary on the base. After a brief time in North Platte, Nebraska, they moved to Manhattan, Kansas where there they lived in married student housing while Bob attended Kansas State University, earning a bachelors degree in business.

With Bob often traveling for work, Wilma was the family matriarch, managing the household with unflappable patience. Her mother had been a schoolteacher and Wilma passed on a love of learning to her seven children and infused it with a sense of fun. She encouraged their curiosity and supported their many interests and activities.

Wilma had a fulfilling secretarial career in Kansas City: as a bookkeeper for the Teamsters Union at Tolley International; and as the receptionist/secretary for the Infant Development Center at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. During these years, she still found time for bowling, golf, swimming and exercise classes, all of which contributed to her good health and longevity.

When she and Bob had both retired they traveled around the country visiting family on both coasts, national parks, Canada and their favorite destination, Alaska. They also enjoyed their grandchildren’s activities, gardened together and developed lasting friendships through St Paul’s Church in Olathe. They were married for 57 years.

Wilma is survived by her children, Cynthia Lathrop of Valatie, NY, Nancy Lathrop (Tom Robinson) of Waterford, CT, Michael Lathrop and Patrick Lathrop (Jana) both of Kansas City, MO, Denise Lathrop (Andrew Norton) of Seattle,WA, and Stephanie Smith (Duane) of Clinton, MO. She also leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Daniel and her husband, Robert.

Wilma will be remembered for her nurturing, loving nature, her quick wit and her lighthearted spirit. Her family will miss the wisdom and guidance she provided them throughout her life. She navigated the rigors of aging with grace and dignity, always grateful to her devoted sons and her compassionate caregivers at Cedar Lake Village in Olathe, her home for 17 years. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Olathe in the Fall. Burial will be at St. Mary’s cemetery in Junction City, Kansas.