Lynne L. Wilken

At the Request of the Wilken Family, we are sharing this on our website. Services are being provided by Jensen Funeral & Cremation Services in Columbus, WI. Please contact them with any questions about the services for Lynne

COLUMBUS—Lynne Lesley Wilken, age 83, died on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Home Again Assisted Living in Columbus, WI. She was born on September 23, 1940 in Milwaukee, WI to Joseph and Ruth (Haertlein) Leuck. Lynne grew up in Kenosha, WI, living with her mom, her sister Bonnie, her grandparents Oscar and Irva Haertlein, and her uncle Ralph Haertlein. Her childhood highlights include playing piano, family card games, family vacations, singing in the church choir with her mom, sister, and uncle, and visiting her grandpa’s drugstore after school for treats. She attended Friedens Evangelical Lutheran School through 9th grade and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1958.

Lynne earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Education with a Latin major and minors in English and History. While studying there, she met her future husband, Leslie Wilken, on a blind date. They were married on March 17, 1962, and lived in the Milwaukee area before moving to Kewaunee, WI where they raised their family. After staying home with her young children, Lynne worked for many years as the homebound teacher for the Kewaunee School District, bringing education into the homes of students not able to attend school and bonding with many of the families. She had a special connection with her student of many years, Robby Pribek, who loved to videotape their daily lessons and rewatch them. Continuing in the service of others in Kewaunee, she taught Sunday School at multiple churches, founded the Sunday School program at Grace Lutheran Church, was a Girl Scout leader, and participated in the Women’s Club service organization. After moving to Columbus in 1996, Lynne tutored English as a Second Language (ESL) with the Literacy Council.

Lynne was a woman of great faith in the Lord and was actively involved in church activities wherever she lived. She loved music, reading, playing bridge, travel, and sports. Besides playing piano, Lynne sang as an alto in her high school choir, church choirs in Kenosha, Kewaunee, and Columbus, Sweet Adelines, and Columbus Community Choir. Throughout her life, Lynne enjoyed reading, and after retirement, she read several novels each week until her health no longer allowed. She enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to multiple clubs in Kewaunee and Columbus. Lynne loved to travel, planning memorable trips to Europe and Florida for the family and many other trips with Les. She followed sports and especially loved the Milwaukee Braves, Green Bay Packers, and Wisconsin Badgers women’s volleyball.

Above all, Lynne loved her family, was proud of them, and would do anything for them. She supported her husband’s work and Rotarian efforts. Lynne was a funny mom and supported her children’s educational and musical endeavors. She was also very proud of her grandchildren and loved them very much. Much to Lynne’s satisfaction, she was able to continue living at home until the last day of October due to the dedicated efforts of her husband and assistance of son Tim.

Lynne is survived by her husband Leslie of Columbus, WI; two sons David (Sara) Wilken of Toronto, ON, Canada, Timothy Wilken of Columbus, WI; daughter Laura (Michael) Steinberg of Appleton, WI; seven grandchildren Izak Wilken, Rebeka Keys, Abraham Wilken, Alice Wilken, Meghan (Alex) Harris, Angela Steinberg (fiancé Josh Hanson), Audrey Steinberg; sister Bonnie (E. Richard) Allen of Mechanicsburg, PA; in-laws Irvin (Patricia) Wilken of Chatsworth, IL, Carol (Michael) Mottler of Conway, AR, Carl Grabman of Packwaukee, WI; nieces and nephews Keith (Penny) Wilken, John (Tania) Wilken, Sarah (Ben) Scarboro, Jeffrey (Kathy) Allen, Katherine (Matt) Marino, Carrie (Chad) Ratz. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; parents-in-law Eldred and Berniece Wilken; sister Elizabeth Grabman; uncle Ralph Haertlein; nephew Dean Dickenson; long-time student Robby Pribek.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:30 P.M., with visitation beginning at 1:30 P.M., on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church, 120 Faith Drive, Columbus. Rev. Jane Crawford and Rev. John Snider will officiate. Interment will be on Monday, December 18, 2023 in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, Kenosha. Memorial donations may be made to the Columbus Literacy Council, 223 W James St, Columbus, the Faith Lutheran Church Organ Fund, or a charity of your choice.

The funeral service will be live streamed on the Faith Lutheran Church – Columbus, WI Facebook page and the Faith Columbus Youtube channel.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with Lynne’s family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com

The family would like to thank Visiting Angels, Home Again Assisted Living in Columbus, and Rainbow Hospice for the incredible care that Lynne received in the final stages of her life.ottom of Form