Obit: Wilke, Franklin J. (1930 - 2013)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wilke, Weber, Lindner, Kollmansberger, Blanscet, Lazzari, Meyer, Barthel, Kauth, Chatman, Manuel, Olson, Jensen, Palecek, Raasch

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 118Sep 2013

Wilke, Franklin J. (20 DEC 1930 - 12 SEP 2013)

Franklin J. Wilke, 82, Loyal, died on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Loyal. Rev. Steve Brice officiated. Burial followed in the parish cemetery. His grandsons served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Trevyn Wilke, Nick Wilke, Aedynn Wilke and Bryce Meyer.

Franklin Julius Wilke was born on Dec. 20, 1930, in Dorchester, the son of George and Agnes (nee Weber) Wilke. He was raised on the family farm, received his education at Dorchester schools, and graduated from Abbotsford High School. After completing high school, Frank attended UW-Madison for two years, completing the Farmer's Short Course. He married Irene M. Lindner on June 17, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greenwood. They farmed in Pittsville for two years before moving to Greenwood. In 1956, they purchased a farm and moved to Loyal. Frank was a lifelong farmer and also hauled livestock for Equity in Stratford. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, and was involved in many 4-H activities as the leader of the Prosperity Pea Pickers for many years. Frank had many interests, but especially loved hunting, gardening, trucking, umping softball and frequenting his "offices."

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 60 years, Irene Wilke, Loyal; his children, Catherine (Dennis) Weber, Loyal, Dianne (Eddy) Kollmansberger, Loyal, Patricia (Kim) Blanscet, Crosby, Texas, Steven (Linda) Wilke, Sioux Falls, S.D., Louann (Paul) Lazzari, Grafton, Bernard Wilke, Loyal, Thomas (Amanda) Wilke, Loyal, Robert (Tanya) Wilke, Loyal, Anthony (Cheri) Wilke, Loyal, and Lisa (David) Meyer, Hudson; 31 grandchildren, David (Diana) Weber, Christina (James) Alonzo, Patrick (Megan) Weber, Eric (Michelle) Weber, Jonathon (Becky) Weber, Jason (Hillary) Kollmansberger, Chad (Angie) Kollmansberger, Brandi (Jamie) Barthel, Kelli (Zach) Kauth, Courtney (Phillip) Chatman, Brittany (Shaun) Manuel, Austin Blanscet, Abbigail and Kayla Wilke, Amanda and Jessica Lazzari, Bradley and Matthew Wilke, Andrya, Grayce, and Aedynn Wilke, Taylre, Ryleigh and Trevyn Wilke, Taylor, Nicholas, and Savanah Wilke, Bret Olson, and Paige, Bryce and Carly Meyer; 16 great-grandchildren; and seven siblings, Melvin (Florence) Wilke, Wausau, John Wilke, Pittsville, MaryAnn (Donald) Lindner, Greenwood, Lucille (Gerald) Jensen, Marshfield, Edith (Dale) Palecek, Merrill, Charles Wilke, Mt. Vernon, Mo., and Dorothy (Marvin) Raasch, Wisconsin Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters-in-law, Susan Wilke and Rita Wilke; a son, Edward Wilke; a daughter-in-law, Penelope Wilke; a granddaughter, Jennifer Wilke; and an infant sister.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.