Idell M. Dankert

Idell Maylene Dankert-Stengel died at Midland Hospice house on April 20, 2026, at age 87, surrounded by the love of her family. Idell was born March 18, 1939 in Canton, SD to E.W. Stengel (Brownie) and Hilma Haakenstad Stengel. Idell’s journey with her Savior began early on being baptized and confirmed at Canton Lutheran Church. She attended a one room country schoolhouse and graduated from Augustana Academy in 1947. She continued her education at Augusta University and Commercial College in Sioux Falls, SD and one more year at Lutheran Bible Institution in Seattle, WA.

In 1962 she married William Wilson and together they had 3 children: Ingrid, Blake (Brownie) and Stephanie. After Bill’s death in 1971 Idell married Howard Dankert adding 3 more daughters to her heart; Debbie, Diane, and Denise. Idell and Howard were married for 42 loving years.

In 1973 they moved to Topeka, Ks. Idell’s passion to serve people in need was evident in her jobs at both the Kansas Mental Health Office and at the United Methodist Home from which she retired from after serving as their admission coordinator for many years. Idell and Howard were long time members of Faith Lutheran Church where she lived out her steadfast faith in her Savior, by serving in many areas including Sunday school/VBS teacher, choir member, and Bible study leader.

To know Idell was a gift. Her forgiving heart, words of wisdom and strong faith touched the lives of everyone she met. She was a soft place to land for anyone in need, and her family’s biggest cheerleader. She loved cooking family dinners, watching her grandchildren in their many activities and attending Washburn University basketball games. She was beloved by her great grandchildren who affectionately referred to as “Gi-Gi”. In her later years she spent hours embroidering tea towels which she gave away to many as a reflection of her appreciation and love. Idell overcame many health struggles and lived much of her life in some level of physical pain, but you would rarely hear her complain. She chose instead to focus daily on the goodness of God and cast her burdens to the Lord….she often said “I’ll be better tomorrow.” And in her mind, most days she was.

Idell was proceeded in death by her parents E.W. (Brownie) and Hilma Stengel, husbands: William Wilson (1971) and Howard Dankert (2014), sister-in-law Martha Hefty (2025), and granddaughter Nicole Sanderson (2015).

Idell is survived by 1 sister Merryll Fawbush, sister-in-law Dorthy Dankert-Slaughter, brother-in-law Theodore Dankert (Barbra). 6 children: Ingrid Wilson-Huelsnitz (Jeff), Blake Brownie Wilson (Tamara), Stephanie Wilson-Kocher (Christopher), Debbie Dankert-Stepp (Larry), Diane Dankert-Blackwood, Denise Dankert-Sanderson (Jim), 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Idell’s Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am on April 27, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66604.

In lieu of flowers, Idell wished for donations to be made to Faith Lutheran Church.