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Mary Jo Wilke

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Mary JoAnn (Iverson) Wilke, of Monona, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 24, 2021, at the age of 88. Mary Jo was born on Oct. 19, 1933, in Calmar, to Justin Clarence (JC) and Ina (Weselmann) Iverson. She was the second oldest of six children and attended Calmar High School. Mary Jo was the valedictorian of her high school class in 1951 and furthered her education at Luther College in Decorah, following in the footsteps of many family members before her. While at Luther, she earned her B.A. in elementary education, was involved in theatre and cheerleading, and was honored to be chosen as the 1954 Homecoming Queen.

 

Before her junior year at Luther, Mary Jo, on a whim, attended a dance with friends at the Inwood Ballroom Dance Hall in Spillville. It was there she met Tom Wilke, who had just moved back to Iowa from Colorado and was attending the dance for the first time. With the help of his friend, who recognized someone in her group, Tom introduced himself to Mary Jo and knew she was something special. Soon after, the two began their courtship and were married on June 12, 1955, one week after her college graduation. Their dance through life bridged over 66 years together and was a love story for the ages. To this long and loving union, four children were born, Susan, David, Steven and Daniel. 

 

In the early years of marriage, Mary Jo was a teacher in Lime Springs and Monona, and loved teaching young children. As her family grew, she lovingly devoted her time and attention to staying home to raise her family, opening a small gift boutique and supporting her husband and children’s many family-owned businesses. 

 

Mary Jo was very social and enjoyed getting together for breakfast and coffee with a young group of gals in Monona. She was well known as a generous soul who never knew a stranger, and loved entertaining and cooking and thrived on being involved in community events and committees such as the Women’s Aglow in Northeast Iowa, Women’s Circle and on her college alumni council. A few of her favorite things included good food and desserts, shopping, sewing, reading, flower gardening, bridge club, watching the Cubs, volunteering at the school, attending Messiah concerts at Luther, spending time with Tom at the Tri-City Golf Club, hosting grand holiday gatherings for extended family and showering her grandchildren with love and attention. 

 

Faith was important to Mary Jo, and throughout her life she was a devout believer who was active in the church through Sunday school teaching, various religious groups, church activities and bible studies. Mary Jo’s father passed away the day before Thanksgiving in 1972. Forty nine years later, on the day before Thanksgiving, Mary Jo slipped her hand into Jesus’ as He walked her home. She will be remembered as a proud and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother.

 

Mary Jo is survived by her beloved husband, Tom Wilke, of Monona; three sons, David (Becky) Wilke of Elkader, Steve (Ellen) Wilke of Decorah, and Daniel (Amy Dale) Wilke of Evanston, Ill.; grandchildren, Sarah (Mike) Sanderson of Waukon, Jessica Wilke of Hyattsville, Md., Jacob (Jessica) Wilke of Monona, Kristen Wilke of Clermont, Michael Wilke of Madison, Wis., Sophia Wilke of Madison, Wis., Emily Cooper of Chicago, Ill., and Alex Dale of Evanston, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Greyson Sanderson and Charlotte, Gretchen and Harrison Wilke. She is also survived by her siblings, Tom (Jeanne) Iverson of Colorado Springs, Co., and Steve (Kathy) Iverson of Lake Mills; sisters-in-law, Carol Iverson of Grundy Center and Mary Wilke Adair of Johnson; brother-in-law, Jack Nordgaard of Red Wing, Minn.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

 

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, John and Mary Jo Iverson, Sam Iverson and Diane Nordgaard; mother and father-in-law, Elmer and Lenora Wilke; brother-in-law, Warren Wilke; sister-in-law, Janet (Wilker) Wilke; and her cherished firstborn, Susan JoAnn Wilke. 

 

Memorials in Mary Jo’s honor may be made to Luther College. Checks should be made out to Luther College (in the memo please write, Wilke/Iverson Scholarship). Memorials may also be made to Faith Lutheran or the Monona Library.

 

Visitation was held on Dec. 3, at Faith Lutheran Church in Monona. Funeral service was also Dec. 3, at Faith Lutheran Church in Monona, with Rev. Mel Harris as the officiant. Burial followed at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Monona.

 

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona is assisting the family with arrangements.

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