Rae Lou Wilkinson

Rae Lou Wilkinson of Shorewood, WI, age 85 years, passed away peacefully at home on September 14th, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; brother Robert; her great grandson Carter; and many dear cousins. She is survived by her daughter Beth, granddaughters Sara and Jessica; sister Virginia (William) Brinkman; step-children Beth and Michael Giacobassi, Mark and Wendy Wilkinson; step-grandchildren Dante, Mario, and Gina, Jeff and James; and many more dear nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rae Lou was born February 13th, 1930 to Robert R. and Bernice Janke in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from West Technical High School in 1948 with a degree in Stenography and held several different jobs at local companies and corporations after graduation. After several years away from Cleveland, Rae Lou returned in the late 90's to be near her sister, Virginia. It was there that she married the love of her life, Donald Wilkinson, on March 19, 2001. In 2009, she and Donald moved to Shorewood, WI to be closer to their families. They frequently attended the Milwaukee Symphony together and kept busy with volunteer work, but family was always first and foremost to them. They enjoyed attending many sports events, dinners, concerts, and gatherings that involved their children and grandchildren. Rae Lou met her first husband, John D. Tickanen, when they were paired through a program Rae Lou participated in to send letters to wounded servicemen. In 1963 they adopted their daughter, Beth. Rae Lou spent several years as a housewife and mother before returning to the workforce as co-owner at Village Realty. When she and John divorced in 1976, she moved to Massachusetts to be a live-in nanny for three children, returning to Burlington, WI once they were grown to work at the Savings and Loan and dote upon her granddaughter, Sara. During this period, she met her second husband, Elmer Palm, while purchasing flowers for her backyard patio at the greenhouse he owned. Volunteering and music were very important to Rae Lou. While in Burlington she spent many years singing in her local Sweet Adelines chapter and for several years was also the director. She delivered meals to the disabled in Ohio, and while in Shorewood she was a member the Northshore Kiwanis Club, and the Shorewood Women's Club. Some of her favorite events were volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House with Kiwanis and working their pancake breakfasts. She was also very active in the Fourth Church of Christ Scientist in Shorewood. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, gardening, and playing bridge. Her Monday Bridge Club at the Shorewood Library was always a highlight of her week! Service & Reception InfoA ""celebration of life"" service will be held December 27, at 11:30 at the Fourth Church of Christ Scientist, 2011 E Capitol. Dr in Shorewood. A light lunch will be served immediately afterward in the Community Room located in the lower level of the Shorewood Library building. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, North Shore Kiwanis, Fourth Church of Christ Scientist, or Love, Inc in Burlington, WI.

Rae Lou Wilkinson

September 14, 2015