Elsie M. Wilkens, age 100 of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Manteno, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Broadway Mesa Village in Mesa, AZ.
Elsie was born in Piper City, one of six children. She helped her mother run a boarding house in Kankakee. Elsie met her first husband, Larry Lottinville, at a dance at the Labor Temple in Kankakee and married him at age 18. After Larry died, she met and married Edwin Wilkens. They were married for 13 years. During those years they moved to Arizona and spent their time traveling and having fun.
Elsie worked for Douglas Aircraft in Chicago for 2 ½ years during WWII as a riveter on C54 cargo planes. She was given the nickname of “Rosie the Riveter.” Elsie was so proud of her service to our country.
Elsie loved playing the games, at Broadway Mesa Village, the Senior Care home where she lived for the last four years. She won many “bucks” which they could turn in for goods.
Elsie was a member of the Church of God in Manteno, a church that she and her husband helped build. While residing in Mesa, AZ she was an active member of East Mesa Baptist Church.
Surviving are two nieces and two nephews, and a good friend, Ed Duvall.
Elsie is preceded in death by her husbands, Lawrence and Edwin; her parents; and five siblings.