Susan Kay Wilkening

Susan Kay Wilkening, age 70, of Garden Prairie, Illinois passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022. Sue was born on September 25, 1951 in Rockford, Illinois to Edward and Betty Koteski. Sue graduated from Rockford East High School in 1969 and later in life from Rock Valley College. She worked for Illinois Bell and then went on to Ameritech, working as a Switchboard Operator, eventually moving into management. After retiring Sue worked at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in many capacities including, DRE and her role as the Secretary Business Manager. Sue truly knew what it meant to be a Servant of God.

Sue is survived by her husband John Wilkening; children, Ben (Andrea Kaiser) Otwell and Adam (Jennifer) Otwell; mom, Betty Koteski; grandchildren, Natalie, Ben Jr., and Noah Otwell; brothers, Scott (Sherry) Koteski and Jeff Koteski; father-in-law, Budd Wilkening; brother-in-law, Rodney Swanson; sister-in-laws, Linda (Jerry) Fagan and Janice Powers; nephews, Nick, Aaron, Eddie, Ian, Craig, Josh, Brandon, Chris, and Matt; nieces, Kaylee and Christie; many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Koteski and sister, Linda Swanson; grandparents, Dora and Clyde Edwards and Joseph and Mary Koteski.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, August 27th, 2022 at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marengo, IL. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marengo, IL or Marengo area OutReach Enterprises (829 Greenlee St, Marengo, IL 60152).