ELLEANOR WILKEN

Elleanor Ella Wilken, 90, of Winner passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls. Memorial services were held April 27 at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial will be at a later date.

Elleanor was born May 7, 1928 to Levi and Tillie Thaler Nedved in Wagner. She grew up on the family farm south of Wagner with her brother and two younger sisters. She worked hard on the farm helping her dad pick corn by hand, milking cows andhelpinghermomcareforthe home. She learned well and her strong work ethic stayed with her all of her life. She became a wonderful cook and continued to make amazing meals, pies, jellies and was especially known for her kolaches.

Elleanor married Robert Weidner on June 26, 1949 and to this union six children were born. Elleanor was very family and community oriented. Robert passed away in 1977.

Elleanor married Alvin Wilken on August 4, 1984 in Winner and they continued to live in Winner. She called Winner home for 63 years. Elleanor and Alvin were very involved in the American Legion. Their home was always a gathering place for family. Alvin passed away in 2001. Elleanor continued to live in her own home until her passing. She had a gift with her beautiful house plants. She kept her yard very nice and could often be seen pulling dandelions one by one.

Grateful for having shared her life are her sons: Ron (Mavis), Dean (Karla), Allen (Judy), 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren, two sisters: June Kinder, Geraldine (George) Krsnek and several nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends.

Preceding her in death were husbands Robert and Alvin, parents Levi and Tillie, sons Rodney and Ricky, daughter Deb, brother Raymond, brother-in-law Dick Kinder, great grandson Cody and nephew Dave Krsnek and her long time four-legged companion Tigger.