Donna Wilkens, 69

Donna Lee Wilkens, age 69, of River Falls, died on Monday, Dec. 10, at her home with her family by her side, following a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Donna was born on Aug. 10, 1943, in Streator, Ill., the daughter of Earl and Marion (Dunlap) Bennett. At a young age, she and her family moved to River Falls where she graduated from high school. She married Jerry Wilkens on Dec. 29, 1962. They were blessed with two children, Susan and David. Donna worked side by side with her husband and son in their family business, Jerry Inc. of River Falls, for 50 years. Donna was on the Pierce County Board of Supervisors and was president of the City of River Falls Bid District. For many years, her real passion was the River Falls ambulance service.

Donna was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and loved watching her grandchildren play sports and spending time with her family.

Donna is survived by her husband, Jerry; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Bruce Robinson of Green Bay; son and girlfriend, David Wilkens and Genevieve Pelletier of River Falls; grandchildren, Lyndsey and Jordan Robinson, Landon Wilkens; brothers Dick (Mary) Bennett of Hudson, Dean (Patsy) Bennett of Luck, Wis., Jim (Nance) Bennett of River Falls; sisters, Betty (Ralph) DeRoy of River Falls, Jean Robey of River Falls; sister-in-law, Carol Bennett of River Falls; brother-in-law Ronald Wilkens and special friend, Roxanne Bowell, of Elmwood, Wis.; sister-in-law, Gloria (Doug) Smart of Bemidji, Minn.; and aunt, Dorothy Willer of Galesburg, Ill.; as well as many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; brother Robert "Bob" Bennett; and brother-in-law Howard Robey.

A celebration of Donna's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the United Methodist Church in River Falls. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Bakken-Young Funeral Home in River Falls, and on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club or the River Falls Youth Hockey Association. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the River Falls Area Hospital along with a special thank you to the River Falls Cancer Center.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.

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