Leo Paul Wilken
December 17, 1936 - January 06, 2015
Obituary
GERMAN VALLEY, ILL./JUNEAU/MADISON- Leo P. Wilken, age 78, went home to be with our Lord, Jan. 6, 2015. Leo’s love was evident in the family and friends whose lives he affected. He was born on Dec. 17, 1936, to Henry Wilken and Fannie (Koning) Wilken in German Valley, Ill. After high school Leo served in the U.S. Army for two years. Upon his discharge, he returned home and worked as an electrician. On Aug. 31, 1958, Leo was united in marriage to Anna Mae Phillips. Together they farmed and raised six sons. Leo worked as a herdsman on several dairies in Wisconsin, the longest being the Louis Nehls Dairy in Juneau. After retiring from farming, Leo worked at Keifer Shaver and Appliance for 16 years. He was a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church from 1972. Leo and Anna Mae volunteered every year from 2001-2013 through Monona United Methodist Church for Volunteer in Mission (VIM). Leo was an avid Bears and White Sox fan. He is survived by his wife, Anna Mae; six sons, Dirk (Karen) of Brookfield, Wis., Douglas (Cindy) of Byron, Ill., Dennis (Shelley) of Sun Prairie, Wis., David of Longmont, Colo., Dean (Amy) of Juneau, Wis. and Darin of Platteville, Wis.; 10 grandchildren, Megan and Nicole Wilken, Katrina (Adam) Rhodes, Benjamin Wilken, Stefanie Constantine, Danielle Wilken, Zachary and Phillip Wilken, and Arielle and Parker Wilken; a brother, Dale (Leona) of German Valley, Il.; a sister, Donna (Wayne) Keifer of Marshall; a brother-in-law, Jerry Keifer of Freeport, Il., and many nieces and nephews. Leo was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marcy. Funeral services will be held at MONONA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 606 Nichols Rd., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and also from 10 a.m. until time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be made to Monona United Methodist Church or Imagine No Malaria, Www.ImagineNoMalariaWI.org. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Thu Jan 8, 2015 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Monona United Methodist Church • 606 Nichols Rd., Monona, WI
Service
Fri Jan 9, 2015 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Monona United Methodist Church • 606 Nichols Rd., Monona, WI
Photos
No photos of Leo have been shared yet.
Memories
VW
Vicki Ward
Other •
What a personality Leo had. He always made me feel welcome when I stopped to visit Leo and Anna Mae! "You come again" as I was leaving and you felt he meant it ... nothing artificial about him. Sincere. I stopped to visit them a couple of weeks ago, (I always pass their house, then call Anna Mae and ask the number of their house ... again)!! I'd get there and Leo looked at me like, "What's your problem"? I felt that too!! Just such a nice guy. Bless you Leo. Peace.
KJ
Kellie Jorgenson
Other •
Leo was the most amazing man! I feel fortunate to have worked with him for 6 years at Kiefer's. He taught me so many things; not only about the repair of small appliances, but more importantly about life. We had wonderful "Shop Saturday Morning" talks together over coffee (milk) and doughnuts. He was like a second father to me while being an incredible friend.
If heaven holds a place for animals, I'm sure Leo is up there lovin' up Scruff. Thank you for all the wonderful hours and sage advice to a young kid. You will be dearly missed.
B
Barb
Other •
Leo always left me inspired after speaking to our congregation. I could count on him warming my heart and soul through his words and his hugs. He lived his life serving others in many ways, both great and small. In Leo's thoughts his service would never be a big deal but I'm sure those who were served in even some small way viewed it as something much bigger. He will be missed, especially by me.
Barb
AW
Amy Haase Wilken
Other •
While driving home Tuesday, this song played. It felt like a fitting musical tribute to Leo. He was one of the most "Christ Like" people I have met. His Faith, in God, was present in everything he did. He passed this faith to his sons. I truly believe, we are all better people in God for having had Leo P. Wilken touch our lives. We'll miss you, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Friend,.... Child of God. Folk Alley Sessions: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band, "Ashokan Farewell"