Trotter Photo

Deborah Wilke started working at Liberty in 2013, working as a registrar her first two years.

Deborah Wilke is remembered by many as a dedicated Eagle who showed up everyday with a smile and helped to make Liberty a better place. 

“My fondest memories of her are just her laugh and her smile every day when she was at work,” activities director, Cary Eldredge said. “She worked really hard and always did her best to take care of everyone around her and had fun doing it.” 

Wilke passed away on Jan. 23 at the age of 62 after a three-year battle with cancer.

Eldredge worked closely with Wilke, who was his administrative assistant in the activities office. She was very visible at sporting events and did a lot of the behind-the-scenes work to make sure games went smoothly.

Wilke not only helped Eldredge with athletics activities, but also helped teachers, like Sandy Pizzo with transportation for FCCLA or simply helping set up at the football games.

“All the times that she helped with football, assigning us jobs, being there to set up when we needed her, when we were slammed with people, that’s one of my greatest moments,” Pizzo said. 

Assistant principal Dr. Kiely had a close relationship with Wilke.

“Debbie was kind of my go-to person here, and being the only female principal, not that I can’t talk to the boys about certain things, Mrs. Wilke is kind of my person,” Kiely said.  

Wilke had worked at Liberty since 2013 and originally worked as a registrar for her first two years.

When Wilke heard that the position for the activities administration position opened up, she wanted to see how she could handle the job after helping Eldredge with some of the activity office tasks. Wilke soon applied and was then accepted for the job.

Wilke was not only a dedicated Eagle, but also a mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, shopping with her sister and niece; Taylor, spending time with her grandchildren, watching the Cardinals baseball team, golf, and watching football with her sons.  

After Wilke had passed, P.E. teacher Heidi Kleekamp had brought up the idea of writing letters to Wilke’s family. Some of Liberty’s secretaries and teachers wrote these letter to express how much she meant to the Liberty family and how loved she was by everyone who had the chance to get to know her. 

In regards to how she would’ve liked to be remembered, Eldredge mentioned her dedication and how friendly she was to the school community. 

“I think she would want to be remembered as somebody who showed up everyday. And made Liberty a better place. And was so kind to everyone,” Eldredge said.

Wilke was such a light in many people’s lives. Her kind-hearted spirit and infectious laughter will be forever remembered by the people whom she connected with and gave a warm helping hand towards.