IRENE M. “BOUTZ” WILKE, age 89, of Loyal, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in her home with family at her side.  Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday May 30, 2023 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal.  Rev. Emmanuel Famiyeh will officiate, and burial will follow in the parish cemetery.  Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.  Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, May 29, 2023 from 4pm to 8pm, and again on Tuesday from 9:30am until the time of service.

     Irene Marie Lindner was born on May 21, 1934, to Casper and Marie (Keller) Lindner, in Greenwood, WI.  She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1952.  Irene was united in marriage to Franklin J. Wilke on June 17, 1953, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greenwood. They were married for 60 years until Frank’s death on September 12,2013.

     Following their wedding, Irene joined her husband, Frank on the farm.  They farmed in Pittsville for two years before moving to Greenwood.  In 1956, they purchased a farm and moved to Loyal.  In addition to being a homemaker, she was a member of St. Anthony’s choir and the PCCW.  She worked at the Greenwood Café with her sister Elaine "Sis".  Irene was an excellent baker and gardener.  Irene was heavily involved in 4-H.  She enjoyed bowling, playing cards and marbles with friends and family, and was an avid Packer, Brewer, Badger, and Greyhound fan.

     She will be dearly missed by her children:  Catherine (Dennis) Weber of Menomonie, WI; Dianne (Eddy) Kollmansberger of Loyal, WI; Patricia Blanscet of Lohn, TX; Steven (Kristen) Wilke of Parker, SD; Louann (Paul) Lazzari of Grafton, WI; Bernard Wilke, Thomas (Amanda) Wilke, Robert (Tanya) Wilke, and Anthony (Cheri) Wilke, all of Loyal, WI and Lisa (David) Meyer of Hudson, WI.  Irene is also survived and will be dearly missed by 32 grandchildren: David (Anne) Weber, Christina (James) Alonzo, Patrick (Megan) Weber, Eric (Michelle) Weber and Jonathon (Becky) Weber, Jason (Hillary) Kollmansberger, Chad (Angie) Kollmansberger, Brandi (Jamie) Barthel, Kelli (Zach) Kauth, Courtney (Phillip) Chapman, Britney (Stan) Bellard, Austin (Katie) Blanscet, Abigail Moring, Kayla and Allison Wilke, Amanda (Matt) Hoadley, Jessica (James) Martins, Bradley (Veronica) Wilke and Matthew (Erin) Wilke, Andrya, Grayce and Aedynn Wilke, Taylre (Dillon) Serocki, Ryleigh and Trevyn Wilke, Taylor, Nick and Savanah Wilke, Bret (Gena) Olson, Paige, Bryce and Carly Meyer; 35 great grandchildren; 3 brothers: Donald (MaryAnn) Lindner of Greenwood, LaVerne (Joan) Lindner of Loyal, and Richard (Bonnie) Lindner of Greenwood; 3 sisters: Jeanette Sullivan of Dumfries, VA, Shirley (Henry) Janezich of Willard, and Dorothy Wessell of Sheboygan; one sister-in-law: Shirley Lindner of Loyal; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Franklin;  a son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Penni Wilke, and their daughter Jennifer; son-in-law, Kim Blanscet; 2 sisters: Elaine and Jacqueline; and 2 brothers: Carl and Arthur.

     We wish to thank Irene’s dedicated caregivers for the wonderful care and attention they gave to our mother over the years.  We also wish to thank St. Croix Hospice, but especially Breanna for her loving and compassionate care in her final days.