Walter W. Wilken

Walter ?Walt? W. Wilken, age 95, of Kearney died Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Ravenna Good Samaritan Center.Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Kearney with Pastor Rebecca Craig officiating.Burial will be at the Kearney Cemetery.Military rites will be provided at the grave by the Kearney American Legion Post #52, Kearney V.F.W. Post #759, and Nebraska National Guard Military Honors team.Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.Memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church or the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department.A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com.Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Walt was born July 18, 1915 on the family farm southwest of Hildreth to Wilhelm and Charlotte (Lindau) Wilken.Walt graduated from Hildreth High School in the class of 1933.He attended Hastings College and Kearney Teachers College.During those years he played leather helmet football.Walt also boxed in the Golden Glove matches.Walt met his future wife in Hildreth where she was teaching.They were married June 1, 1941.In October of the same year Walt was inducted into the Army and was sent with the 74th Engineer Light Pontoon Company to help build the ALCAN Highway.Later in WW II the company was shipped to Europe, the Rhineland Battle where they positioned Bailey Bridges ahead of American troops advancing into Germany.Walt received the Bronze Star, the American Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and the Carbine Expert Marksman Award.He was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of Sergeant. Walt and Lois settled in Kearney and he worked for Dawson Public Power District as a lineman and later as Manager.He worked for 39 years at DPPD.During their years in Kearney Walt made many civic contributions.He served with the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department also serving as Fire Chief.He taught certified Red Cross first aid and also served as instructor for the first Emergency Medical Care Classes.Walt was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post #759, American Legion Post #52, Kearney Elks Club, and the Kiwanis.Walt served as a Boy Scout leader and was a lifetime member of Parent Teachers Association.He volunteered at Trails and Rails Museum and sang in the 1733 Barbershop Chorus.Walt was a member of First Lutheran Church serving faithfully wherever he was needed, from the church council to painting the steeple of the church.He enjoyed fishing and hunting, gardening, woodworking, square dancing, ballroom dancing, people, and conversation.Walt and Lois just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 1, 2011. Surviving Relative: Wife Lois Wilken of Kearney, NE Son: : Warren Wilken of Nashville, TN Daughters Judith and David Sherrerd of San Marcos, TX Charlotte and Lonnie Webb of Mandeville, LA Lucinda and Roger Mays of Chadron, NE Grandchildren: William and Rachel Sherrerd, Katherine Sherrerd, Margaret Sherrerd, Maraike and Mark Cochran, Rebecca and Ben Pomajzl, Nathan and Jessica Webb, Asher Webb, and Walt Mays 5 Great Grandchildren Walt was preceded in death by 2 brothers Edward and Arthur Wilken and 1 sister Alice Stuhmer. PDF Printable Version

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Walter W. Wilken

July 18, 1915 - June 11, 2011