Bonnie Wilkening

Bonnie Lou Wilkening, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, July 18, 2016, at The Arbors at Auburn Creek.

She was born Sept. 25, 1930, in Jackson to Roy B. and Rika K. Loos Smith.

She and Lynne R. Wilkening were married May 25, 1952. He preceded her in death in February 1957.

Bonnie was a member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau. She received a bachelor's degree in library science and a master's degree in history from Southeast Missouri State University. Bonnie was a librarian in Cape Girardeau public schools for many years. Bonnie loved children, traveling, birds, flowers and working in the yard.

Survivors include a son, R. Matthew Wilkening of Boise, Idaho; a daughter, Kim (Jeff) Pickel of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren Alicia N. Wilkening of Boise and James F. Pickel II and Bonnie L. Pickel of Cape Girardeau; and a brother, R.B. Smith of Lovell, Wyoming.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother Richard "Dick" Smith; sister Shirley M. Statler; and stepsisters Dorothy Shea and June Hilpert.

The family would like to say a special "thank you" to all the caring staff at The Arbors and Saint Francis Hospice for the exceptional and loving care Bonnie received.

Bonnie's last selfless act was donating her body to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis for research purposes.

Her family will have a memorial service at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to Disabled American Veterans, 400 S. 18th St., Room 119, St. Louis, MO 63103 or Cure Alzheimer's Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.