Barbara Jean Wilke, 89, of Bismarck, ND passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at a Bismarck hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Sunday, March 29, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior

Barb was born in 1936 to Leonard and Margaret (Ruud) Davis in Breckenridge, Minnesota, where she was raised and graduated from high school. She was a devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Underwood and later Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck.

Barb met Darrel Wilke while he was attending NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND. They were married in 1956 in Breckenridge, eventually settling in Underwood in 1963. After many cherished years living in Underwood, where they raised their family, Barb and Darrel moved to Bismarck in 2003.

Barb was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. She loved preparing traditional Norwegian treats as well as other family favorites. She enjoyed music and found pleasure playing the piano and singing. Some of her fondest memories from earlier years were at the Davis family lake cabin in Minnesota. Barb treasured spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy and were a true blessing in her life. Even as her eyesight and health declined in later years, she remained gracious and thankful. Barb will be remembered as a kind, caring, and loving woman.

Barb dedicated many years of her life working as a nurse aide at Garrison Memorial Hospital and later at Prairieview Nursing Home in Underwood until her retirement. She was actively involved in her community, including her church, the Underwood Volunteer Ambulance Service, and Meals on Wheels in Bismarck. She enjoyed church activities such as participating in the Good Shepherd handbell ensemble and singing in the choir, as well as gathering with Red Hat Society friends. Barb had a generous spirit and always put the needs of others before her own.

Barb will be deeply missed and is survived by her children: Jackie Wilke, Rick (Renae) Wilke, and Michelle (Bryan) Walther all of Bismarck. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Mikaila (Tucker) Davidson, Kylie (Jim) Petrik, Reed Feland, Darren Wilke and Jenna Wilke; and her great-grandchildren, Cohen and Crue Davidson, and Madyn and Jerzy Petrik.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband Darrel in 2006; her parents, Leonard and Margaret; her brother Wayne; and her father and mother in-law William and Vira Wilke.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial honoring Barb to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.