Harold Wilken Obituary

GIFFORD - Harold Paul Wilken, 84, of Gifford passed away at 9:28 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 15, 2025) at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana. He passed from this earth to join his family who preceded him.

He was born in Stanton Township on Oct. 12, 1940, to Meine Jacob Wilken and Grace Ella (Ackerman) Wilken. He attended grade school at Armstrong-Ellis then graduated from high school at Rankin Township High School in 1959. In November 1960, he married Linda Shroeder. Together they had two wonderful little girls, Sandra Lynn and Patricia Ann. As a family, they enjoyed many camping trips and attending the girls' activities. That marriage was dissolved in 1979. In 1980, Harold met the love of his life, and on July 18, 1981, he married Nancy Simmons. She was a wonderful stepmother to the girls and a guardian angel to Harold as he went through several heart surgeries and then in January 2006 was blessed with a new heart. Harold was employed for many years at Campbell Dental Laboratory, where he got his start as a dental technician. In 1985, he joined Jerry Ragle at Ragle Dental Laboratory and retired from there in 1999 but did return for part-time help when needed. He was always treated so well by his employers, who also helped him so much through his illnesses.

Harold is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Sandra Mohr of Urbana and Patricia (Keith) Ball of Lebanon, Ind.; four grandchildren, Chris (Carly) Tatman, Matt (Autumn) Tatman, Hayley (Rachel) Tatman and Hannah (Steffen) Ferguson; five great-grandchildren, Madilynn Tatman, Colton Tatman, Jaxton Tatman, Emory Tatman and Jameson Tatman; and his sister, Emma Johnson of Gifford.

Harold was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 10, 1955, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Gifford by Pastor William Ferne. He later became a member of Immanual Lutheran Church in Flatville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Immanual Lutheran Church, Flatville. Pastor Scott Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Immanual Lutheran Church.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Gift of Life Transplant House, 705 Second St., Rochester, MN 55902. Condolences may be left at freesefh.com.