Marilyn Elizabeth Wilkening, 95, Oshkosh, WI (formerly of State Center)
Marilynn Elizabeth Wilkening, age 95, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin passed away on April 17, 2023, at her son’s home in Omro with her children by her side.
Marilynn was born on August 12, 1927, in Story County, Iowa, the daughter of the late Orlando Albert and Mary May (Hess) Eatwell. She graduated in 1945 from Nevada High School and was married to Eugene Earl Wilkening on June 6, 1948. They were married for 56 years until Gene’s death in 2005. Over the years, Marilynn worked for Ruben H. Donnelly (7.5 years) then as a stay-at-home mom and did bookwork for Gene’s business. She enjoyed baking cakes for many weddings, birthdays and other occasions. Marilynn enjoyed baking, sewing, quilting and had a very large garden that kept her busy. She traveled with the Garden Touring club and both Marilynn and Gene enjoyed many bus trips with the senior citizens and many nights listening to country music jams at Braddy’s barn. She sang for many nursing homes in the area and the Veterans home in Marshalltown. Marilynn and Gene spent a lot of their retirement time camping in northeast Iowa at Yellow River forest where they fished for trout and relaxed by campfires while listening to wildlife. They traveled across the country many times to visit both of their children in many different states where they lived.
Marilynn was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in State Center, Iowa since 1949, a former member of Central Presbyterian Church of Nevada, Iowa and a current member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Marilynn was an American Legion Auxiliary member in both State Center, Iowa (Harland G. Pfantz Unit 122) and Winneconne, Wisconsin (Giles Luce Post 364) for 74 years as past secretary, treasurer (29 years), vice-president and president. She served many years as treasurer of the Marshall County American Legion Auxiliary. Marilynn was a member of the St Paul Ladie’s Aid, a member of the West Marshall Senior Citizens, servicing as president for many years. She was a member of the Delta Nu study club and served on the Rose Festival board and chairman of the venders for the Rose Festival. She was an Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce volunteer and Ambassador.
Marilynn is survived by her children, Connie (Charles) Sigrist, Gering, Nebraska; David Wilkening, Omro, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Codi and Casey Sigrist, Lincoln, Nebraska; one sister, Rowena Nelson, Clifton, Arizona. She is also survived by many relatives, extended relatives and friends.
Marilynn was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Gene; parents, Orlando and Mary Eatwell; brother, George and (Freda) Eatwell; sister, Coleen Cooley, (John Cooley, Neil Davis); and brother-in-law, Dale Nelson; also a very special friend in Lee Lauer later in life in Wisconsin.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Another visitation will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 605 1st St. N, State Center, Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Marilynn will be laid to rest beside her husband, Gene, in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa. If you wish, please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.
