Obituary of Anne Marie Wilke

Wilke, Anne Marie (nee Orlik) West Bloomfield resident, Anne M. Wilke, passed peacefully from this life on Saturday July 23rd at the age of 92. Anne was born on April 11, 1925 in Chicago Illinois to Joseph and Josephine Orlik. Anne was a child of the Depression and the lessons learned during that difficult time shaped her into an extremely hard worker and a person of great thrift and saving. These traits remained with her for her entire life. Anne began her education in the Chicago school systems. After an extended break from formal education, she attended night school classes at West Bloomfield (Michigan) High School to obtain her high school diploma at the age of 53. During World War II, Anne worked as a bomb fuse Inspector for Motorola and met her future husband Frank through a mutual friend. They married in 1947 and celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary before Franks passing in 2006. Anne and Frank built their own home in Medinah, Illinois working on weekends and vacations. Over the multi-year project they often received "volunteer" help from relatives and friends. They were very proud to take residence in their new home in 1958. Ten years later, the Wilke family moved to the suburban Detroit area. Anne was an extremely fun person and those that knew her have many great memories of the great times they shared. In summers, the family used a military parachute to provide shade for a large patio. One day a major wind storm came through the area and the parachute began to billow and threatened to blow away. Anne immediately grabbed onto the center support pole. A major gust blew Anne and the pole about three feet off the ground. The sight of Anne suspended in the air, hanging on to that pole with slippers dangling from her feet was absolutely priceless. One thing about Anne, she never gave up on anything. Because of her tenacious efforts, the parachute never left the premises and remains with the family to this day. Having a life-long love for children, Anne took great pride in working as a lunch and playground assistant at West Maple Elementary School during her retirement years. Anne is survived by son Robert (Jill) and daughter Gail (Douglas Gray) along with Grandchildren Brian (Kristin) Gray, Claire Wilke, Michael Wilke and Great-Grandson Boston Gray. The family would like to thank; Lauren, Angie, and Tommy from Heartland Hospice, caregivers at Arden Courts of Bingham Farms, and the entire staff of Nannies Inn, West Bloomfield, for their loving care. In lieu of flowers memorial tributes may be made to: Nannies Inn 3050 Spring Street, West Bloomfield MI 48322 or Heartland Hospice 26211 Central Park Blvd #600, Southfield, MI 48076. A mass to celebrate Annes life will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 12th at Saint Owen Catholic Church, 6869 Franklin Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI.