"Be More Like James Wilke" Memorial

Kari Brandt Wilke is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Rachel Wilke.

Donation protected

On Thursday, March 14, God called home one of his faithful servants, James Wilke. James was waken in the early hours with a phone call from the local sheriff to assist emergency responders in rescuing a stranger from flood waters. Without hesitation, James climbed into his tractor like has has countless times before, and headed down the road.   

This time would be different. James would never return.  

With the guidance of emergency responders, James drove his John Deere tractor over the Shell Creek bridge and it gave out. James and his tractor dove into the raging flood waters. Search crews started an immediate miracle rescue effort, however, grief soon set in for the countless people who loved him. James’ body was recovered later that afternoon, ironically along a creek bed on James’ land, two miles from the initial accident. A sign to his beloved wife, children, grandson, family and friends he made it “home”.   

James' character and his willingness to help others in need was as solid as his faith. The family does not wish to receive donations for personal use but we have set up this page, instead, as an effort to "do some good" in memory of James. Any donations received will be dedicated towards some of the causes that were close to James’ heart and will be designated by the family in the future. With your help, we can continue James’ legacy of faith, service, and support of youth and education.

Together, we can all “Be More Like James”.  Thank you for your consideration.

~Dan Egger, Paul Wilke, & Jim Klug Families