Obituary: Sister Robert Mary Wilke (Phylllis Mary Wilke) - Class of 1939

SINSINAWA - Sister Robert Mary Wilke, O.P., age 85, of St. Dominican Motherhood in Sinsinawa, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. She was born Sept. 24, 1921, in Madison. She was the daughter of Robert William and Helen Regine (O'Neill) Wilke. Her birth name was Phyllis Mary Wilke. She attended St. Raphael's Catholic Grade School and graduated from Central High School in 1939. She knew at a very young age that she wanted to become a Dominican Sister, so after graduating from high school she entered the order. She made her first profession of religious vows on Aug. 7, 1941. She was an elementary school teacher and principal for 44 years. She taught in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. After retiring from teaching. she was the business officer at St. Dominic Villa in Dubuque, Iowa, for 10 years and retired from that position in 2001. She is survived by her sister, Lorraine Wilke of Madison and many cousins. She is also survived by her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared her religious life for 66 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen and brother, Robert Jr. A remembrance service was held on Sunday, March 25, 2007, at the Gathering Place in the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of Rosary Chapel at the Dominican Motherhouse with her burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery on Monday, March 26, 2007. She served God all of her life and now she lives with him eternally.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 20, 2007