Donnalee Bertha Wilken, 92, of Danforth, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 19, 2024. Donnalee was born on July 6, 1931, in Humphrey, NE, daughter of Harry and Olga Baumgart. She married her beloved husband, Marlin Wilken on April 20, 1952, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Humphrey, NE. He preceded her in death on July 17, 2017. They celebrated their 72nd Wedding Anniversary together in Heaven. Donnalee was the loving mother of Gene (Pat) Wilken of Champaign, Joan Bisterfeldt of Yorkville, Joyce (Mike) Strubhar of McLean, Lynn (Pam) Wilken of Ashkum, and Randy (Libby) Wilken of Chebanse, 1 brother, Dean Baumgart of Hastings, NE, and 1 sister, Jean Slizoski, of Columbus, NE. Donnalee had 14 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marlin, sister, Marlene Wyant, son-in-law Rick Bisterfeldt, and grandson David Bisterfeldt.
Donnalee was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Danforth. She attended school in Humphrey, NE, and then the Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing in Omaha, NE. Donnalee and Marlin were long-time area farmers and business owners. Together with Marlin they founded MWS Seeds, which is now known as ProHarvest Seeds; and with their guidance, the Wilken Family was honored as the Kankakee Daily Journal Farm Family of the Year in 2006.
A strong believer of serving others, she was active in many activities at St John’s Lutheran Church in Danforth, served as an election judge, served the area at Blood Drives, was a 4-H leader for the Ashkum Chargers and worked alongside of Marlin at the Iroquois County Fair for many years. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.
She loved God and she loved her family. She touched many with her words, her smile, and her kindness. She was always an encourager to others, was quick to lend a helping hand, and loved to give devotion books to others. Growing up in Nebraska and marrying a farmer from Illinois, her family was scattered from Illinois to Colorado. Then after raising 5 children, and then seeing her many grandchildren move around the country, she always found a way to communicate with family, quick to adapt to technology to do so. She learned how to use computers, iPads, emails, texts, FaceTime, and even Zoom to keep in touch and share pictures. This was proven by her activities on her last night when she was sending her children old photos that she had sorted through, an encouraging text that was sent to a granddaughter, and the devotion book that was found by her side.
Donnalee was a person who always looked out for others. She unselfishly cared for Marlin for many years after his illness. She was a wonderful example of a Christian parent for her children and grandchildren, never said an unkind word of anyone and never complained, despite what curves life threw her way. She touched so many with her words, her smile, and her kindness. She will be missed but also remembered by so many.
Visitation will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton on Thursday, April 25, and at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Danforth, IL from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Friday, April 26 with the funeral at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Prairieview Luther Place, St John’s Lutheran Church at Danforth, or Clifton Food Pantry.
