“Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me,
Bless His Holy name.” Psalm 103
We mourn the passing of Elaine Marie Wilcke, 94, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Elaine was born at Grinnell, Iowa on September 28, 1929, daughter of Elmer and Tena Pals Hillmann. On August 15, 1951, she married Ernest W. Wilcke, son of Detlef and Lulu Clausen Wilcke. To this union, one son, Victor Wendell Wilcke, was born.
Elaine was a favorite soloist in the churches, organizations and schools of the Grinnell community from age 3 to her graduation from Grinnell High School in 1947. Quote from her high school annual – “Honesty and sincerity are her first principles.” She went on to Wartburg College where she gained on of two positions in the concert choir as a treble high soprano. She was privileged to sing with the choir on its 10,000-mile concert tour to the West Coast. Highlight of the tour was to record their repertoire in the RCA Victor studio in Hollywood.
In 1948, Elaine entered nurse’s training at Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, graduating the month after her wedding. Nursing experience included General Duty, Head Nurse in Obstetrics, school nurse, Case Finding Chairman for Tuberculosis, volunteer for testing clinics, Red Cross nurse for volunteer Home & Blood Mobile and volunteer school nurse.
Volunteer service was also given with the Pegasus program, VAC, DCMH Auxiliary, CASA, PLUS, Dickinson County Home, Election Judge, church activities including Sunday School, catechism, Bible School Teacher, circle chairman, choir, librarian, Lutheran World Relief, and Quilting chairman – 10 years; Spirit Lake Library as Treasurer for Friends – 15 years, a term as Library Trustee and 15 years as a volunteer at St. Luke’s Lutheran Home in Spencer. She also earned President Bush’s pin for 4000 plus hours of volunteer work.
Elaine loved to do embroidery, crocheting, knitting, quilting, and especially making baby sweaters for Lutheran World Relief. She also loved gardening, flowers, games, and art. Elaine and Ernie did not know the word: RETIRE. They took one vacation between 1964 and Ernie’s death – a convention in Toronto!
Left to mourn is her brother, Dr. Daniel J. Hillmann of Baton Rouge, LA; goddaughter, Brenda Mikel Hicks of New York and her husband Joe; cousins, nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.
Deceased are husband, Ernest; son,Victor; parents, brother, Elmer C. Hillmann; brother-in-law,Wilford Mikel of Grinnell, Iowa; and her sister, Agnes Mikel of Grinnell, Iowa.
Please remember Doctors Without Borders, Lutheran World Relief, The Southern Poverty Law Center, and the International Justice Mission on memorials. These were Elaine’s charity priorities.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery beside Ernest and near his parents and their son. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
“Commit your way unto the Lord, trust in Him,
and He will act.” Prov. 37:5
