Evelyn Wilken

Evelyn Jacobs Wilken, 89, formerly of Forreston, passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2012, at Parkview Home in Freeport, IL. Evelyn Koper Jacobs was born June 23, 1923 at home in Forreston, living in that same house for 18 years. She was the daughter of John and Anna (Koper) Jacobs. She graduated from Forreston High School in 1941. She married Clarence P. Wilken on Sept. 10, 1941, who preceded her in death on March 10, 1992, 6 months following their 50th wedding anniversary. She enjoyed dogs and all animals, and worked and lived on their family farm for over 52 years. She enjoyed sewing and needlework. Evelyn was a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Forreston, where she was substitute organist during her teenage years, and also gave music lessons to children in the neighborhood. She played clarinet in the Forreston High School Band . She is survived by a son, Clarence D. Wilken of Forreston; a daughter, Kathleen J. (Rick) Pasch of Forreston, two granddaughters, Jenny A. Pasch, University of Dubuque, and Josie R. Pasch of Forreston. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Eugene Wilkens Sr., of Freeport; Dan Wilken of Shannon; Doug Wilken of Freeport; Lorene (Gary) Stamm of Freeport; Loran Wilken of Adeline; Leland Shellhause of Forreston; Leon and Leonard Brinkmeier. She was also preceded in death by her special friend Theodore Schoon on August 13, 2011. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Burke-Tubbs in Forreston. Burial will be at White Oak Cemetery in Forreston. A memorial fund has been established for the Forreston Band through the Forreston Music Patrons. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guestbook and to share memories.