Rae Lou Wilkinson, 88, Shorewood, died peacefully at home on Sept. 14, 2015. She was born Feb. 13, 1930, to the late 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 after graduation.
After several years away from Cleveland, she returned in the late ’90s 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 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.
She 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 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.
Survivors include 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 dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; brother, Robert; her great-grandson, Carter; and many dear cousins.
A Celebration of Life service is Sunday, Dec. 27, at 11:30 a.m., at the Fourth Church of Christ Scientist, 2011 E. Capitol. Drive, Shorewood. A light luncheon will be served immediately afterward in the Community Room located in the lower level of the Shorewood Library building. Northshore Funeral Services, Milwaukee, is serving the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Northshore Kiwanis, Fourth Church of Christ Scientist, or Love Inc. in Burlington.
Well-wishers can visit www.northshorefuneral.com.
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