Margaret M. “Margie” Wilken
- Visitation Dates and Times
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 9:00 – 10:45 a.m.
- Visitation Location
St. Cecilia Catholic Church ~ Bartelso
- Service Date
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
- Service Time
11:00 a.m.
- Service Location
St. Cecilia Catholic Church ~ Bartelso
- Full Obituary
Margaret M. “Margie” Wilken, age 82, of Bartelso, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025, at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. She was born April 16, 1943, in Breese, the daughter of the late William and Margaret, nee Hemker, Varel. Margie married James V. “Jim” Wilken February 20, 1963, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso and he preceded her in death on February 8, 2025.
A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Margie’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her loving children, Mark Wilken, Floyd (Kelly) Wilken, Keith (Julie) Wilken, and Kelly (Scott) Harre, all of Bartelso; cherished grandchildren, Taylor (Gavin) Thomas, Kendra (Dylan) Mueller, Brendan (Chloe) Wilken, Brock Wilken, Olyvia (friend, Danny Metzger) Wilken, Alyse (friend, Clayton Dannaman) Wilken, Bryce (fiancé, Breanne Jansen) Harre, Ashtyn Harre, and Reece Harre; adored great-grandchildren, Hadlyn and Grace Thomas, Blair Mueller, and Archer Wilken; siblings, Bill (Joann) Varel of Bartelso, Blanche Goebel of Breese, and Flossie (Frank) Schlautman of Bartelso; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joan Varel, Betty Varel, Jack (Cleo) Wilken, Ruth Ann “Tootsie” (Leroy) Hoh, Carol (Phil) Menkhaus, Kathy (Don) Frerker, all of Bartelso, Jerry (Kathy) Wilken of St. Louis, and Joe Wilken of Aviston; and numerous nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.
Besides her parents and husband, Margie was preceded in death by an infant son, James Gerald Wilken; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alphonse and Margaret, nee Gebke, Wilken; siblings, Jerome (Dolores “Toots”) Varel, Pete Varel, Jim Varel, Sally (Bernie) Gerdes, and Bernadette (Gerhard) Kluemke; and a brother-in-law, Frank Goebel.
A dedicated homemaker, Margie also worked over the years at Brueggemann Drapery, provided loving care through an in-home daycare, Becker Egg Company, and Breese Super Valu bakery. She was a faithful member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and Ladies Sodality and was a longtime PSR teacher at Bartelso School.
Margie’s passions were simple but heartfelt—baking, sewing, gardening, playing cards, and keeping an immaculate home. Her greatest pride was her family, and she never missed a school or sporting event for her grandchildren.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. Thomas Lugge and Fr. James Buerster concelebrating. Interment will follow at St. Cecilia Cemetery in Bartelso.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and again Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 9:00 – 10:45 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to the Bartelso Community Development Club or Murry Parents Association and will be received at the visitation or by mail, Moss Funeral Home, 535 N 5th St. Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.
