Bernice R. Wilkens

Bernice Rebecca Wilkens, age 91, of Linn, Kansas, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the Linn Community Nursing Home.

Visitation with family present will be Monday, September 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Linn.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 8, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, west of Linn.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Bernice’s grandsons: Trevor Cannizzo, Travis James Cannizzo, Tommy Cannizzo, Blake Kissinger, Kyle Beals, Clinton Wiese, Dustin Richter, Christian Hess, Jon Hess, Alex Ore, USAF Capt. Richard Wilkens, Cody Robinson, and Chad Wilson.

Bernice was born January 12, 1935, in Strawberry Township, the daughter of Richard and Lula (Beikmann) Herrs. On January 12, 1935, she was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. Paul Stolp. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on Palm Sunday in 1949. Bernice remained a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She attended Immanuel Lutheran School and Linn High School. Bernice attended Seward Concordia University and taught students at Immanuel Lutheran School from 1953 to 1958.

On September 7, 1958, she was united in marriage to Elden G. Wilkens at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. John D. Kovac. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters and one son. Elden preceded her in death on December 8, 2010.

Bernice was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, singing in the church choir and teaching Sunday school and nursery school. She was also a member of the Immanuel Society and LWML.

Bernice was known for her many talents, which included cake decorating, creating floral arrangements and window decorations at church, and, of course, butchering chickens for many. She enjoyed volunteering and spent time helping with quilts for the Orphan Grain Train. She spent many hours with her colored pencils at the nursing home, sharing and displaying her creations. If you were lucky enough to be around at the right time, she would play you a tune on her harmonica.

Her favorite pastime was genealogy. She spent many hours researching family history and recording that information in albums to share with others. Bernice cherished every minute spent with her family and loved them dearly.

Bernice worked at the Linn Community Nursing Home, starting out in the kitchen. In 1982, she took the CNA course and became a CNA. Later, she was offered a position at the Homestead in Washington, where she worked as a CNA. She then became the Activity Director and provided home health care in Washington County. She enjoyed caring for others until she retired in 2009 to care for her husband, Elden.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her mother- and father-in-law, Frank and Emma Wilkens; brother, Leroy Herrs; sister-in-law, Ann Herrs; sons-in-law, Terry Hardesty and Frank Hess; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Emil and Kate Wilkens, Albert and Edna Rodehorst, and Clifford and Paula Jenkins.

Survivors include three daughters, Andrea Cannizzo (Tom), Clay Center; Alicia, Ashtynn, Autumn, Trevor, Travis, and Tommy; Pamala Wiese (Gary), Palmer; Clinton and Colby; and Connie Hess, Elizabeth, CO (fiancé John Wintert); Christian, Rebecca, Jon, and Lake. One son, Ret. SMSgt. Fred Wilkens (Jacque), Las Vegas, NV; Linsey, Cody, USAF Capt. Richard Wilkens, and Jordan. Brother, James Herrs (Dorothy); sister-in-law, Jane Beikmann; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial fund has been established for Immanuel Lutheran Church, Meadowlark Hospice, or the Linn Community Nursing Home. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 West 2nd St., Washington, KS 66968.