Edna Kay Wikel

1938 - 2021

Edna Kay Wikel

1938 - 2021

Edna Kay Wikel, 83, of Kenosha, died on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Hospice Alliance Hospice House.

Born in Vandalia, IL, on July 24, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Ruby (Bennyhoff) Diveley. There she attended local schools and graduated from Vandalia Community High School in 1956.

In 1960, she received her B.S. in education from Southern Illinois University and began her career teaching ages three through eight. She received her Master's Degree in education from National Louis University in 1985. She retired from the Kenosha Unified School District in 1998 after 28 years of teaching kindergarten and first grade. A highlight of her career was teaching in the first summer Head Start program in 1965. Ten special teaching years included teaching a state funded parent-child preschool in the Kenosha Unified School District.

In 1958, she married William Wade and they moved to Kenosha in 1964. They had three sons, Michael, David, and Garrett. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1981. In 1997, she married Denis Wikel and together they spend a lot of time with their blended families. They enjoyed spending several winter months in Las Cruces, NM, but always enjoyed returning to their Lake Montgomery home and families in the upper Midwest. For years they enjoyed their cabin retreat in Michigan's Upper Penninsula.

Beginning in 1966, Kay stayed very involved in the Unitarian Universalist Church, first in Racine and then at Bradford Community Church Unitarian Universalist in Kenosha. Kay served in several positions on the board and served on several church committees. Kay was most proud of her role as chair of the Capital Campaign in 1993, which allowed the congregation to purchase the original Unitarian Church building.

Kay was a community activist for years, having been on the steering committee to form Planned Parenthood, coordinate the first CROP Walk for Hunger in Kenosha, was part of the earliest recycling efforts in Kenosha, was a recruiter for Relay for Life for several years, was a charter member of the Coalition for Dismantling Racism, a member of the Kindness Week committee, volunteer coordinator for Pringle Nature Center, and wore many hats along with her husband Denis as they served the Shalom Center. In 2001, Kay was a recipient of the Susan B. Anthony award, and with her husband was honored with the Faithful Advocate Award from Congregations United to Serve Humanity in 2017.

Kay loved spending time with family and friends. Family traditions included setting up for the July 4th parade, trips to see the Aquanut Ski Show, outings at Pringle Nature Center, holiday plays and bands at Apple Holler, and outings at Jerry Smith's Pumpkin Farm.

Surviving Kay is her husband, Denis; two sons, David and Garrett Wade; two stepsons, Dan (Nancy) and Martin Wikel; two grandchildren, Trevor Wade and Angelia Gallion; and a great-grandson, Levi Gallion.

She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Wade; and grandson, Jack.

Interment was held privately at St. James Cemetery. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday October 23, 2021 at Bradford Community Church, 5810 8th Avenue, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. Venue will be announced after ceremony. All are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kay Wikel would be sincerely appreciated to either of the following charities: Shalom Center @ shalomcenter.org or Peace Learning Circle @ peacelearningcenter.org

Proko Funeral Home & Crematory

5111-60th Street

Kenosha, WI 53144

Phone: (262) 654-3533

Visit Kay's Online Memorial Book at:

www.prokofuneralhome.com