Eileen L. (Becklin) Wilkie

Eileen L.Wilkie (Becklin)

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Teacher and dear Friend to many.

Eileen (Becklin) Wilkie, 81, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2023. Eileen was born on July 15, 1941 to Paul Rueben and Harriet (Oman) Becklin in Cambridge, MN. Paul and Harriet had seven children and Eileen was their only daughter. Eileen graduated as Salutatorian from Cambridge High School in 1959. She graduated with honors from Hamline University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a minor in Music. She received her Master of Arts degree in Learning-Human Development Technology from the University of St. Thomas in 1987. Eileen began her teaching career in the South St. Paul school district and transitioned to teaching piano in West St. Paul for many years. After receiving her master’s degree, Eileen worked for MECC, the Learning Company, Mattel, and Learningoutfitters.com as an educational researcher for game and educational software. Eileen had a passion for education and faith volunteering that impacted many, including leading caregiver support and women’s leadership groups.  She was the committee chair that led the design and implementation of Augustana Lutheran Church’s renowned pipe organ.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband George S. Wilkie, her parents and three brothers Robert C. Becklin, Gilbert P. Becklin, and Donn A. Becklin. She is survived by her three children Ann Arens of Apple Valley, MN; Beth (Randy) Horsch of Plymouth, MN, and Paul (Kim) Wilkie of Overland Park, KS and grandchildren Matthew and Elizabeth Arens; Caroline, John, and Nick Horsch; and Bethany and Addie Wilkie. She is also survived by her brothers Lynn (Lois) Becklin, Eric Becklin, and Galen (Karonne) Becklin, and brother-in-law Alan A. (Lyn) Wilkie and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A special thank you to the staff at Timber Hills in Inver Grove Heights, our family has been shaped by your daily love and care.

Visitation will be from 4:30-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13th at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 S. Robert Street, West St. Paul, MN  55118, 651-457-3373. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 14th at Augustana Lutheran Church with lunch to follow. The family requests memorials be sent to Two Rivers High School Dollars for Scholars Fund (George S. Wilkie Memorial Scholarship) C/O Paul Malay, Treasurer 1765 Humboldt Ave. West St. Paul, MN  55118 or the Organ Fund at Augustana Lutheran Church.