Elva Lee Wilken was born October 29, 1929 in Seward, Nebraska to Howard and Barbara (Wolff) Graham and passed away August 29, 2022 in Seward at the age of 92 years, and 10 months.

Elva was born October 29, 1929 in Seward to Howard Graham and Barbara Wolff Graham. She attended elementary school at Ritchie country school, she then attended 9 ^th and 10 ^th grades in Staplehurst and graduated from Seward High School in 1947. On March 12, 1950 she was united in marriage to Lawrence 'Bud' Wilken at her sister and brother-in-law's home north of Garland. To this union six children were born. They lived north of Garland where they farmed. Elva apprenticed under Lucille Duerr and worked as a cosmetologist for many years in Seward. After her husband's passing in 1993, she moved into Garland in 1994. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, crosswords and watching game shows. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Garland, a Gold Star Mother of VFW 4755 in Seward and Garland Legion Auxiliary #369.

Survivors include daughter Priscilla (Rod) Thonen of Staplehurst; son Larry (Connie) Wilken of Staplehurst; daughter Deanna (Ken) Boyer of Garland; son Dayle Wilken of Garland; son Daryl (Barb) Wilken of Seward; 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren; sister Audrey Kilzer of Seward; brother H. Dean Graham of Lincoln, and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lawrence 'Bud'; one son Bryan Wilken; four sisters, three sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law; and one great grandson Rhett Boyer.