Donnalee Bertha Wilken, 92, of Danforth, Ill., passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 19, 2024.
Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton on Thursday, April 25, and at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Danforth, Ill., from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26 with the funeral at 10:30 am.
Donnalee was born on July 6, 1931, in Humphrey, Neb., 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, Neb. 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, Neb., and 1 sister, Jean Slizoski, of Columbus, Neb. Donnalee had 14 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marlin, sister, Marlene Wyant, son-inlaw Rick Bisterfeldt, and grandson David Bisterfeldt.
