Esther L. Wilkens (nee Schille), 83, of West Bend, passed away Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at her residence.

She was born April 30, 1927, in the town of Trenton to the late Henry and Hermine (nee Winter) Schille. She was united in marriage to Elmer H. Wilkens on June 1, 1946, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newburg. Together they farmed on the Wilkens family homestead in the town of Farmington for many years. After retiring, Esther and Elmer moved to the town of Barton. Elmer passed away on Oct. 22, 2003.

Esther enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards and working on jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. She was an active member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newburg.

She is survived by four children, Mark (Jean) Wilkens of West Bend, Martin (Audrey) Wilkens of Grafton, Cheryl (Jonathan) Schultz of Oconomowoc and Ellyn Wilkens of Milwaukee; 10 grandchildren, Douglas Wilkens, Brian (Leigh) Wilkens, Daniel Wilkens, Amanda Wilkens, Jessica Wilkens, Benjamin Wilkens, Rebecca Wilkens, Charissa Schultz, Nathan Schultz and Andrew Schultz; four great-grandchildren, Jacob Wilkens, Nicholas Wilkens, Maxwell Wilkens, and Caden Wilkens; a daughter in-law, Annette Wilkens of Saginaw, Mich.; three sisters-in-law, Margaret Schille of West Bend, Leona Scheumann of West Bend and Adeline Wilkens of West Bend; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; two sons, Glenn and Frederick; her parents, Henry and Hermine Schille; her parents-in-law, Otto and Augusta Wilkens; two sisters, Ruth Stocker and Lorraine Wilkens; and a brother, Frederic Schille.

Funeral services for Esther will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Newburg. The Rev. Jon Baumann will officiate and burial will follow in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 3 p.m. until the time of services.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, West Bend, is assisting the family. Online guest book and condolences may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.