Ann Orelup Wilke

Ann Orelup Wilke, of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the age of 92. Beloved wife of Fred Wilke; cherished daughter of the late Mildred and Frank Orelup; devoted mother of Scot (Oma) Wilke, Alethea (Ronnie) Tennill, Karen (Scott) Dodson, and Carol (Bill Aszman) Wilke; loving grandmother of 10; treasured great-grandmother of 10 and great-great grandmother of 2; dear sister of Lily Braden, Charlie Orelup, and the late Nancy Powers.

Ann met her husband, Fred, at Drury College, and they shared 69 wonderful years of marriage. She earned her master’s degree in biology from the University of Illinois in 1956, was the Director of Biology Labs at UMSL until her retirement in 1992, and published a lab manual titled Exploring Biology Today. Ann enjoyed camping and road trips with her family, pottery, and other creative arts, and she was a long-time member of St. John United Church of Christ where she was part of the Social Service Sewing group. She also found joy in gardening flowers and vegetables. Ann was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be made in Ann's name to the UMSL Biology Department Scholarship or St. John United Church of Christ.