Esther “Mae” Wilkens, of Stockton, KS, passed away on May 13, 2024, in Hays, KS at the age of 86. She was born on July 29, 1937, to Ernst August Martin and Blanche Orene (Stamper) Erdman in Dundy County, NE. She married Arthur “Art” Wilkens on November 28, 1956, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benkelman, NE. They were blessed with seven children: Chuck, Debra, Kent, Steven, Tony, Brenda, and Lisa.
Mae graduated from Haigler High School in 1955. She met Art while working in Benkelman as a nurse’s aide. Once married, Mae devoted herself with great care to the good of her family. Mae went to Northwest Kansas Vocational Technical School in Goodland, KS and completed the office occupations course. Her family is proud that she was named Student of the Year in 1981 at her graduation!
Mae was a homemaker. She loved music, gardening, sewing, canning, cooking, baking, and people. Being quick to care, her nurse’s spirit never waned. She enjoyed traveling as the opportunities came, whether with her husband, friends, or family. She enjoyed making everything beautiful, whether setting a beautiful table or watering flowers. Her house was often filled with music, especially around the holidays. She loved making memories with her children and grandchildren gathered around the piano. Having accumulated wisdom through the years, Mae was known for sage advice. She never proclaimed to be perfect yet did her best in every situation to love others well. Never outwardly boisterous, she was nonetheless a courageous woman. Mae overcame a fear of water by learning to swim in her forties. She went through flight school to be a better co-pilot for Art. Behind every good man is a strong woman, and Mae walked with firm support for her husband throughout life. She was brave, but gentle, and always kind. Mae will be greatly missed.
Mae is survived by her children, Chuck (Alicia) Wilkens of Goodland, Kent (Nancy) Wilkens of Bismark, ND, Steve (Tonya Bethel) Wilkens of Stockton, Tony (Lexy) Wilkens of Plainview, TX, Brenda (Lonnie) Coon of Goodland, and Lisa (Brad) Eisiminger of Hays, KS; 20 grandchildren: Drew (Kaylee) Wilkens, Grant (Mary Kate) Wilkens, Brock Wilkens, Taylor (Kyle) Schulte, Charley (Titus) Hopper, Jordyn (Felix) Wilkens-Talamantes, Jessica Wilkens, Joselyn (Luke) Lindgren, Gabriel (Ashton) Wilkens, Payton Wilkens, Paisleigh Wilkens, Levi Coon, Katelyn (David) Murray, Kade Megaffin, Max Megaffin, Trae (Cami) Megaffin, Jessica (Jon) Morgan, Grant Eisiminger, Holden Eisiminger, and Trevor Eisiminger; and 22 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; stepmother; husband, Art Wilkens; brothers and their spouses, Paul (Betty) Erdman, Dean (Esther) Erdman, and Earl (Ilene) Erdman; daughter and son-in-law, Debra (Russell) Birkholtz; and son-in-law, Rex Megaffin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. Visitation will be held on Friday 4-6PM at the funeral home in Stockton. A Parish Vigil and Rosary service will be at 6:30PM at the church with the family receiving friends afterwards at the Parish Hall. A Graveside service will be held in Goodland at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery at 3:00 PM MST/4:00 PM CST.
Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas Catholic Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, or City of Stockton-Downtown Beautification and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.