Wilma H. Kriner, 85 of Okahumpka, FL went to be with the Lord on July 3, 2013 at the Hospice House, Tavares, FL. The daughter of Henry and Edna (Rosebrock) Lohkamp she was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 24, 1927. She was baptized and confirmed in Friedeus Evangelical and Reformed Church and continued friendships with her Sunday School class until her passing. She graduated from Manual High School where she fell in love with William Robert Kriner who she married in 1947. Together they celebrated 46 years of marriage before his passing. Her emails always came from Krabbykriner but to look at her life it’s hard to see why she decided on that.
Her German heritage produced an ambitious woman with fast typing skills and organization to match. Having begun her career with Pacific Mutual Insurance agency and Eli Lily Corp. she and her husband moved to Florida in 1957. In January, 1958 she joined Fuchs, Zemp and Celander, a Florida ad agency which later became W.M. Zemp & Associates. She worked her way through the ranks later becoming the Vice President and Treasurer. In 1975 W. M. Zemp & Associates merged with Young and Rubicam of New York, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies. Their clients included Publix Supermarkets and Eckard Drug. She established a life-long friendship with William Zemp and was his personal representative until his passing. Upon “retirement” in Mt. Dora in the early 1990’s she became the assistant to the city manager.
In 1959 she became a founding member of the Florida chapter of American Women for Radio and Television and went on to serve on the local and national levels as President. There were several articles written on her accomplishments and she was a member of Who’s Who in American Women 1981-1982. She maintained regular contact with her AWRT friends and often traveled with them to places including Alaska, Russia and European destinations.
Despite her successes she remained dedicated to her husband, family and friends. She loved to play golf and enjoyed gardening and entertaining. For years her weekends were spent fishing and boating on Lake T’sal Apopka in Inverness with husband, friends and family.
Preceded in death by her parents and her husband she is survived by her brother, Lawrence Lohkamp (Sue), Tavares; nephew Larry Lohkamp; Indian Rocks Beach; niece, Kathy Lohkamp Hann , Largo; brother-in-law Paul Kriner, Beech Grove, IN; sister-in-law and dear friend, Norma Lohkamp, IRB, grand-nieces Lindsey Harris and Alyssa Harris, Largo as well as many other dear relatives.
A celebration of life will be held August 25, 2013, 2pm - 4 pm at Woods and Water Trail, 1325 N. Bay Road, Mt. Dora, FL.
Memorial donations to: Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778 or Alzheimer’s Association.
