Phyllis M. Wilken

Phyllis Margaret Wilken of Kankakee IL., passed away on Sunday May 30, 2010 at the age of 96. A private service and interment was held at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Crescent City, IL. on Tuesday June 1st.Phyllis was born September 8, 1913 to Fredrick and Ida (Schmitz) Lauerman in Alexandria, Minnesota. She married Eibe Switters Wilken who was from both Milwaukee, WI. and Crescent City, IL. on July 23, 1936.Phyllis recieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics from the University of Wisconsin at Stout in Menomonee, Wisconsin in 1936. She was a charter member of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Tau Chapter, National Honorary Home Economics Fraternity and in 1933 was charter member of Gamma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Sorority. Her teaching career began in Neenah , WI. and later continued in Milwaukee Public School and Milwaukee Vocational School.After moving to Illinois she taught at Crescent Iroquois High School and then in the Kankakee School District at East Ridge Junior High School, East Ridge High School and developed the Westview High School Home Economics Department. She organized and taught the first adult vocational education classes in foods and clothing. She supervised student teachers and had in her last five years she served as the Work Study Coordinator for Foods and Health Services.While as advisor for the Future Homemakers of America both in Crescent City and Kankakee her clubs recieved first place in the state for three years and recieved numerous club awards. She was honored at FHA's national convention in Pittsburg, PA. where she also provided one of her award winning students as the key note speaker. After over 21 years of service she retired in 1976.The family's early years included travels and brief moves to CA., AZ., and CO. Before moving to Kankakee in 1956 she lived 17 years in Iroquois County on farms at Woodworth and Crescent City. There she served on boards of the Milford's Womens's Club, Iroquois County Home Extension and was past president of the Ash Grove Unit and a 4-H leader. She taught Sunday School for 13 years at the Watseka United Methodist Church and 2 1/2 years at Crescent City High School. She is remebered for her outstanding programs, festivals, proms, and she also served as judge in many events in her lifetime, both in Iroquois and Kankakee counties.Phyllis was an active member of the Illinois Federation of Women's Club for 40 years. She served on the General Federation of Women's Club of Kankakee Board and the District 8 Woman's Club Board for over 20 years. She promoted state and local projects and held numerous chairmanships. As Public Affairs Chairman she conducted a county wide national anti-shoplifting survey and organized four county wide Crime Reduction Forums held in the Civic Auditorium. These involved all divisions of local law enforement. She chaired the first Neighborhood Watch programs, introducing McGruff the Crime Dog. Phyllis developed and Anti-Crime coalition (later known as Crime Stoppers) enlisting help from the Exchange Club. She gave numerous programs and conducted contests in area schools on crime prevention. Because of her work, the Kankakee Women's Club recieved a national award presented by Jim Edgar, then Attorney General, given at their Cedar Rapids Iowa National Women's Club convention. She was also instrumental in developing the first Domestic Violence Shelter (now Harbor House) and gaining support for this cause.Phyllis had numerous recognitions extended to her: the Congressional Medal of Merit Award in 1982 by Congressman George O'Brien (17th District) for outstanding community service; nominated for the Kankakee Volunteer of the year award; named Volunteer of the Year in the Arts Division by the Junior League Recognition Program in 1990. She also recieved the Illinois Law Enforcement Officer's Merit Award for Crime Reduction programs. As a result of this recognition the Illinois Law Enforcement convention for the first time was held in Kankakee. In addition she was honored by the Morris Chamber of Commerce and Grundy County Women's Club for contributions made in crime reduction.The Very Special Arts Festivals for persons with disabilities was developed by her. She enlisted in cooperation with the Kankakee Park District and over 20 organizations provided assistance. She organized three festivals and later organized the Kankakee County Very Soecial Arts Alliance involving various community groups. A national recognition award was recieved by the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Kankakee for her efforts.She is credited and honored by Olivet University for bringing the only 1986 bicentnnial celebration to Kankakee County. The Historic American Legacy Art Exhibit by artist, Kay Smith, was held at Olivet Nazarene University. This exhibit was attended by over 8,000 individuals. Later she worked to get the State of Illinois to commission a collection of Illinois historic site paintings by Kay Smith. Then Governor Thompson held a state reception to honor Kay Smith and her.Her many involvements include charter membership and past president of the Kankakee County Home Economics Associatin, past president of the Tuesday Book Review; past president of Kankakee Reired Teachers Assoc.; past chairperson Asbury United Methodist Church Downy Circle and past president of the Sigma Kappa Sorority Mother's Club, University of Illinois.Board Affiliations have included the American Assoc. of Unversity Women, Kankakee District 111 Vocational Advisory Board, Very Special Arts Alliance, Kankakee Farm Bureau Women's Committee, and Charter member Kankakee Valley Garden Club, Community Arts Council, Church Women United, Asbury United Methodist Church Board and Asbury United Methodist Women Board.Other memberships include Domestic Violence Coalition, Kankakee Historical Society, Farm Bureau, Farmland Trust Assoc., and Illinois Retired Teachers Assoc.In 1991 she recieved a recognition award from Secretary George Ryan for community contributions. In 1993 Speaker of the House of Reps. Michael Madigan, resolution from the 88th General Assembly for community service and contributions to the State of Illinois for some 20 years of service. At this time a tree was planted in the Civic Center Park recognizing her years of community service to the Women's Club of Kankakee. Other recognitions include awards from the Domestic Violence Coalition and she was the honored guest at two governor's receptions for her work in the arts. In 1999 she was responsible for the planting of a red maple tree and program on the court house lawn celebrating the 100th year of Kankakee Women's Club.She has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, China, Korea, Indonesian and the Far East. She was one of the first five tour groups to visit remote Sebu, Borneo. She has hosted many persons from Germany, Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam in her home.Surviving members of her family include: daughter Susan Louise Wilken of Kankakee IL., grandchildren Elizabeth Susan Miner of Kankakee, Phillip Scott Miner of Rochester, MI., and Jennifer Louise and Brandon Weinhammer of Algonquin, IL., great-granddaughter Emily Nicole Weinhammer, and son in law, James S. Miner and daughter in law HaShim Sung Wilken of Rochester, MI.Phylis was preceded in death by her husband in 1989, her son Phillip Eibe Wilken in 2006 and her foster brother Farris Lauerman and his son Fredrick Richard Lauerman of South Milwaukee, WI.