Nebraskans Recognize Farmer's Heroic Actions

When Rachel Wilke learned her late husband, James Wilke, would be honored as Nebraska's citizen hero for the annual Hy-Vee Heroes Game between Nebraska and Iowa, she was, quite frankly, shocked.
 
"I knew from Facebook and a few other places that people had nominated him," Rachel said, "but I guess I just assumed across the state there would be tons of people, and we wouldn't be the recipient."
 
But here's what really impressed Rachel about the honor. Not only did close friends and other people who knew James and his heroic act deem him worthy for this special recognition, the American Red Cross, which chooses the recipient, told the family that some 40 people they didn't know also nominated him.
 
"That," Rachel said, "was a nice surprise."
 
Rachel and her three children – Julianne, Colton and Addie – will accept the award on behalf of James during halftime of Friday's game at Memorial Stadium. Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011 and began playing border rival Iowa every season, the teams play for the Heroes Trophy, and the American Red Cross, through nominations from residents of both states, chooses two people – one from Nebraska, one from Iowa – to honor who performed extraordinary acts of heroism and service in their communities over the previous year.
 
James Wilke, who farmed north of Columbus, gave his life while attempting to save the life of a stranger during last spring's historic floods that created dangerous conditions, damaged homes and businesses, washed out roads and bridges and claimed lives.
 
As floodwaters rose, local authorities asked James to help a stranded motorist. True to his character, he did not hesitate to climb into his tractor like he had done before many times. As James crossed a flooded bridge in his tractor, the bridge gave out. James and his tractor were swept away by the floodwaters.
 
"I mean, we're so proud of the action my dad took that day," said Addie, a college student who is the youngest of the Wilke children. "To have everyone realize that he's a hero – because obviously we believe he's a hero – but to see that he's a hero from the state of Nebraska, especially for the Nebraska-Iowa football game, we're just proud of him and excited to experience all the activities on Friday.
 
"It means a lot to our family that we received this honor."
 
Katie Gudenkauf, a nurse who saved the life of a soccer player whose heart stopped during a game, is the citizen hero from Iowa.
 
What if James could know he is being recognized for his heroic actions?
 
"He would not want this," Rachel said. "He did not see himself as a hero. This is something that he would not have been afraid of doing. It was in James' nature to help people, let people borrow things if they needed to. He would not have wanted all of this attention."
 
Nebraska coach Scott Frost said he'd heard the story about James Wilke before, and he watched a video of his family on Tuesday night.
 
"That's kind of what Nebraskans are all about – helping one another, being there for one another," Frost said. "Obviously, a sad story that he lost his life while trying to do that. But he kind of represents what it means to be a Nebraskan and what it means to be selfless."
 
James, a devoted Nebraska football fan, played football at Columbus Lakeview High School and, along with Rachel, graduated from Lakeview in 1987. Today, they have two nephews who also play football at Lakeview. Their oldest daughter, Julianne, 25, played rugby at Wayne State.
 
Colton, 24, has admirably stepped in his father's shoes to help run the family farm.
 
"Colton is doing a great job on the farm taking over," Rachel said. "Heck, he knows more than we kind of thought. That means James was such a good teacher, because Colton knows exactly what he's doing.
 
"We have a very good family friend who checks in with Colton every morning. Checks in a couple of times with me, sees how I am doing. Then James has a couple of cousins who farm, so that's been good to have family."
 
Support from their community has been wonderful, Rachel said, although friends and family haven't been the only ones to reach out.

"This happened, and I cannot believe the outpouring of support from people across the state of Nebraska," Rachel said. "It's just been overwhelming."
 
Ruck March Finish
 
The fourth annual Iowa-Nebraska student veteran-led ruck march began last week at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City and will culminate Friday morning, when the ceremonial game ball will be delivered to Nebraska Athletics Director Bill Moos at Memorial Stadium.
 
More than 100 volunteers helped with the march, as each volunteer carried 20 pounds of personal items to honor the 20 veterans who take their lives every day.
 
Veterans from the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska, including Iowa student vets organization vice president Paul Richardson, and Nebraska vets organization president Rod Venegas, will be recognized on the field during Friday's game.
 
Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter @GBRosenthal.