Jerome "Red" Wiltse and Marie Theis were married on June 3rd 1961. They made their home on Harter Road for a short time until 1965 when they moved to the present family farm on Rt. 38 near County Line Rd. Wiltse's Farm was born and became a labor of love that the two of them shared along with his cousin John Hickey - and planted the roots for their children to later continue to grow.
Jerome "Red" Marie's beloved husband passed in 1986, leaving behind Marie and five children.
Marie assumed his position in the partnership with John Hickey. This meant that she had to take on his duties, overseeing the livestock and farming side of the family business. Many people thought, and several actually said, that Marie wouldn't be able to do it. How wrong they were. Marie's steely determination answered any questions as to her abilities. She held steady and calmly helmed all areas of the farm in defiance of any doubt and continued to raise her children to boot!
She passed on her hard won knowledge to her children and showed them through her actions what it was to be a hard worker. The vegetable garden grew in size as her kids did the same, she'd take them to local markets and teach them the workings of the farm.
Marie passed away at the Age of 78. She passed peacefully at home on the farm surrounded by love and prayers of family in the early hours of Sunday, August 26, 2018.
Her legacy lives on four generations strong. Each year that goes by without her and our father, we think about all that she has taught us through loss and determination. We remember her in every moment and we feel proud to share her knowledge with our families - growing the next generations of Wiltse Farmers.
MEET THE FAMILY
