Obituary: Adelaide M. Wilke

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Adelaide M. Wilke, age 98, of Madison, passed away at Meriter Hospital on Tuesday, April 2, 2002. She was born June 6, 1903, in Superior to the Reverend Otto J. and Clara Beck Wilke. She attended Brayton Elementary School and Madison Central High School. She was employed as a secretary with the Madison Public Health Department for over forty years until her retirement. Her love of flowers also led to working part-time at the Middleton Flower Shop for several years following her retirement. She was a lifelong member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Madison where her father and grandfather were founding clergy and she served as the organist. She was the organist at Lakeview Lutheran Church, Madison and was the accompanist for the Grieg Chorus for many years. She was formerly a member of the Madison chapter of Questers. Addie was a volunteer with many groups throughout her lifetime, including University Hospital, where she had been recognized as a special contributor, and at Oakwood Nursing Home. She had many interests including knitting, traveling, gardening, Madison history and her many friends. She is survived by her beloved niece, Ann Milne (Justice William Bablitch) of Madison. She was preceded in death by her sister, Erna Milne of Madison, on March 10, 2002. Addie and Erna were not only sisters but best of friends and had been living together for the past three years. They wintered in Naples, Florida for the past ten years. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2002, at ST JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church or HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Addies family would like to thank all of her many friends and relatives who showed such a special fondness for her. Addie loved to laugh and entertain and always had a little something for everyone who stopped by to visit. She will be remembered for her generosity. Wherever she went she attracted friends and admirers. To meet Addie was to love her. Informed Choice Funeral and Cremation Alternatives 5801 Highway 51, P.O. Box 105 McFarland, WI 53558 (608) 838-0536

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 3, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)