Family members of James Wilke (from left), including wife Rachel Wilke, daughters Julianne Laudenklos and Addie Wilke, and son Colton Wilke, received the award presented posthumously to James at the Governor’s Flood Heroes Ceremony on Tuesday in the Capitol Rotunda.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
The wife of a man who died rescuing a driver stranded in the floodwaters near Columbus will be the guest of Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse at the State of the Union on Tuesday.
Rachel Wilke is the wife of James Wilke, who died in March during Nebraska’s historic flooding.
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“Rachel and her husband, James, are Nebraska strong. This family shows Americans what it means to love your neighbor,” Sasse said in a news release.
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“James was selfless, hardworking, and our whole state stands behind Rachel and all of the other flood victims as we continue the long process of recovery. Nebraskans have a lot of grit and integrity — that’s why we can count on each other when we need it most,” he said.
