Wilken, Elvera M. 1923-2004

WILKEN, GARRELS, RENKEN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer
Date: 4/16/2007 at 21:04:02

Elvera M. Wilken, 83, of Le Mars, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Elvera M. Garrels was born June 9, 1923, in rural Plymouth County, the daughter of Louis and Helena (Renken) Garrels. Elvera was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She attended country school in Plymouth County.

On Oct. 9,1945, Elvera was united in marriage to Alfred Wilken at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township. Alfred and Elvera farmed east of Akron and later moved to a farm near Hawarden for a few years. They then moved to a farm in Preston Township. While living in Preston Township, they attended St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. They then moved to a farm west of Brunsville until the early 1960s when they moved to Le Mars.

Elvera had worked in a packing house in Sioux City for a time and also cleaned homes for years. When they moved to Le Mars, Elvera worked for several years for Wells' Dairy.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A., in Le Mars. She enjoyed keeping a tidy and organized home.

Survivors include a son, Loren Wilken of Orange City; a sister and brother-in-law, Alma and Elmer Maass of Remsen; a brother-in-law, Herman Buchholz of Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

Elvera was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Helena Garrels; her husband, Alfred on April 3, 2003; and a sister, Edna Buchholz.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Burial will be Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Thursday at the Carlsen Funeral Home with the family present after 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collection; source:Sioux City Journal]