Rhoda Mae Wilkinson

Rhoda M. Wilkinson, 96, of Fayette and formerly of Sumner, died Friday, November 8, 2019, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette. Funeral services will be held at Geneseo United Methodist Church, rural Buckingham on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 11:00 AM with Rev. Harry Wach officiating. Interment will follow at the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 12th, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding the services at the church on Wednesday. Rhoda Mae, daughter of Homer A. and Mae F. (Stahl) Sears was born October 13, 1923, at home in Chester, Iowa. She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1941. On August 11, 1944, Rhoda was united in marriage with Albert Keith Wilkinson at her parents home near Geneseo. The couple began farming in 1947, near Shell Rock, prior to the Geneseo and Westgate areas. In 1987, they retired from farming and moved to Sumner. Rhoda was a long time member of Geneseo United Methodist Church, rural Buckingham. She was a talented vocalist, enjoyed writing in her journal, cross-word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, but her greatest joy came from the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. Rhoda is survived by her son, Ronald Keith (Cindy) Wilkinson of Westgate; two daughters, Shirley Ann (Ben) Rowland of Clermont and Marlys Ruth (Mike) McDonald of Conroe, Texas; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Marsha Schulz of Oelwein; sister, Wilma Holub of Geneseo; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Keith on May 30, 2006; daughter, Kathleen Sue Wilkinson on August 16, 1952; son, Dennis Wayne Wilkinson on July 31, 1994; grandson, Kevin Jay McDonald; and her seven siblings, Ruth Temple, Don Sears, Art Sears, Kenneth Sears, Edgar Sears, Dorothy Elliot, and Lois Danker.