Wilkins, Keith Edward 1925-2006

CAMPBELL, WILKINS, BALL, MELCHER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 10/9/2006 at 13:55:25

Keith Wilkins

Keith Wilkins, Monona, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2006, in his home from a heart attack following congestive heart failure. He was 81.

A private inurnment service was held by the immediate family. Burial was in Postville Cemetery.

Keith Edward Wilkins was born March 5, 1925, to Edward "Lee" and Mildred (Campbell) Wilkins in Linton Township near Volney. Keith received Christian Baptism at the Methodist Parsonage, Monona, by Pastor George W. Turner and he was a member of the United Methodist Church in McGregor. He attended the rural Linton No. 2 in 4 and Fairview No. 5 rural Allamakee County schools through the eighth grade. Keith graduated from Waukon High School in 1943 and married Elaine (Ball) Wilkins November 27, 1946, in Monona.

Keith and Elaine farmed in Post Township and Farmersburg Township, and purchased their first farm in Grand Meadow in March of 1952. He retired in 1994 and moved to Monona.

Keith was a soil conservation advocate and received several awards for his involvement.

He was a blood donor and donated as much of his body as possible to medical science research.

Keith loved spending time at Pike's Peak, Effigy Mounds, and Monona Butterfly Garden.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Wilkins of Monona; two sons, Leland "Lee" (Barbara) Wilkins of Aurora, Ill., and Bryan Wilkins and friend Ellen Kuriger. Also surviving are one sister, Madonna Melcher of Decorah; two step-grandchildren, Emily Isaacson (Bill Bradley) of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Jonathan Isaacson of Kisakata, Japan; and a nephew, Darwin Melcher of Decorah.

His parents and a nephew, Arlan Lee Melcher, preceded him in death.

Waukon Standard, September 7, 2006