Wilke, Anna (Paul) 1877-1955

WILKE, PAUL, EHRLICH, PATTERSON, GATES, BURT, SECREST

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/17/2024 at 02:02:37

Clayton County Register, 20 Jan. 1955.

Mrs. Anna Paul Wilke, 77, prominent member of an Elkader pioneer family died at her home in Elkader on Monday evening, Jan. 10, following an illness of eight weeks. She was born in Elkader, Dec. 03, 1877, and spent her entire life here with the exception of a few years in her early childhood, when her parents lived in St. Olaf, and a number of winters spent in Florida and California. She was the only child of Edward M. and Elizabeth Ehrlich Paul.

Mrs. Wilke was married in Elkader, Dec. 01, 1896 to the late Gus _. Wilke, who died in 1947.

She is survived by three children, Mrs. Phyllis Patterson, Elkader; Paul W. Wilke, Altadena, Calif., and Mrs. Dorothy E. Gates of Wellesley Hills, Mass. Mrs. Gates is on world tour and was unable to return home for the services. There are five grandchildren, Paul Wilke Jr., Van Nuys, Calif.; Peter Wilke, Pasadena, Calif.; Phelps Gates Jr., Wellesley Hills, Mass.; Mrs. John Burt, East Dennis, Mass., and Mrs. Ann Secrest of San Bernadino, Calif. There are also six great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Wilke attended Elkader public schools and Elkader high school and was a graduate of Leander Clark college of music at Toledo, Iowa.

She was always active in church, civic and club work in Elkader. She was a past worthy matron of O.E.S., as well as a charter member of the Coterie, Service Star Legion and Chapter BZ, P.E.O.

Mrs. Wilke was a loving and considerate wife and mother and her first thought always was for her family. She was a life-long member of the Congregational Christian church of Elkader and was always an active worker in her church. For many years she was superintendent of the primary department in the Sunday school and was a faithful member of the choir and in the Ladies Guild.

For the past ten years, prior to the time the store was sold, a year ago, Mrs. Wilke was active in the apparel store "Phyll's." owned and operated by her daughter, Mrs. Patterson.

Services were held Thursday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Congregational Christian church in Elkader, with the Rev. David G. Howell officiating. Burial was in the Eastside cemetery. Pallbearers were: Avron Oleson, Joe Marsisak, Charles Hughes, Harold Griffith, Robert Bush and Robert Potter.