Ruth C. Wilkens, 89, of Brookfield, WI, formerly of Sterling, IL, died Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at her home in Brookfield.
Ruth was born June 5, 1931, in Morrison, IL, to Ren and Cornelia (Tegeler) Ottens. She was educated in the rural Whiteside County grade schools and was a graduate of Morrison High School. On September 8, 1950, she married Robert J. Wilkens, who died February 7, 1993, after 42 years of marriage. Ruth was a woman of faith, as a homemaker, church choir member, pianist for church services, and member in the Women’s Church Circle. She belonged to Morrison Christian Reformed Church, Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sterling, and Brookfield Christian Reformed Church in Wisconsin. Ruth enjoyed music, playing the piano, reading, needlework, and watching sports.
Survivors include daughters, Cynthia (Richard) Greenup, Brookfield, and Cheryl (Martin) Schrader of Germantown, IL; sons, Roger (Cathy) Wilkens of Port Richey, FL, and Craig (Jennifer) Wilkens of Rockford, IL; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Kimmel of New Port Richey, FL, and Judy Steele of Princeton, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; sister, Rachel J. Groharing; brother, Willis Ottens.
A private memorial service will be held at Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home; there will be no visitation.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
Interment will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.