Bryan Thomas Wilcke 1983 - 2016

WILCKE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/19/2016 at 22:31:13

Mapleton Press
14 April 2016

Bryan Wilcke, 32, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Danbury, passed away unexpectedly Monday, April 4, in Kansas City.

Bryan Thomas Wilcke was born May 9, 1983, in Onawa. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith and confirmed into the Methodist faith. Bryan grew up in Danbury and participated in many sports prior to his graduation from Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School in 2001. Bryan’s first job was cooking at Schrank’s Bar and Grill, which sparked his early interest in food preparation and service.

After high school, he attended Iowa State University. After leaving Ames, Bryan moved to Omaha, Neb., and began working as a cook at Ameristar Casino. While working there, he was promoted into a management position as a Sous Chef. Bryan then moved to the Quad Cities where he decided to shift his career focus from culinary to guest service. Bryan took his job as a server very seriously and utilized his natural “gift of gab” to connect with his guests.

In 2012, Bryan moved to Kansas City, Mo., and continued to work as a server. During this time, he concentrated more on fine dining and honed his knowledge of fine wines and food pairings. At the time of his death, Bryan was employed by the well-known restaurant, jazz bar, and private cigar club, The Majestic Steakhouse in Kansas City. He was very proud to be employed there in an environment that he truly loved and appreciated.

Bryan had a very strong work ethic and often stated, “If you’re not 15 minutes early, then you’re late.” In addition to his work ethic, he was known to be brutally honest in his opinions and always true to his word. He lived life to the fullest – but always on his own terms. He developed many deep friendships over the years earning trust and respect from those he encountered. He deeply loved his family and his friends, many of whom he considered as family. He took intense pleasure in playing with his nieces and his friends’ children whom he also thought of as nieces and nephew.

Bryan worked hard and played hard, as demonstrated through his zeal for life. He was very proud of the fact that he was a self-taught guitarist and found satisfaction in honing his skill. He will always be known for his signature “epic beard.” Bryan also demonstrated his respect for life as he chose to become an organ donor.

Those left to embrace their memories of Bryan are his mother, Diana Sexton of Holstein; dad, Stan Sexton of Danbury; his sister, Nicki Davis and her husband, Aric, their daughters, Cameryn and Aurora, all of Omaha, Neb.; brother Michael Sexton and his friend, Kira Coll and son, Warren, all of Cherokee; maternal grandmother, Lois Jensen, of Battle Creek; paternal grandfather, Floyd Wilcke, of Battle Creek; aunts, Deb Jensen and Cindy (Jerry) Davis; uncles, Gary (Reta) Jensen, Ron Rossow, and Bob (Lynne) Wilcke; close friends who he thought of as brothers, David Bluhm and Jory Punkiewicz and their families; goddaughter, Agnes Punkiewicz; as well as a large extended family and many more good friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Marvin Jensen; paternal grandmother, Helen Wilcke; maternal aunt, Bonita Ann Jensen, who died in infancy; paternal aunt, Cindy Rossow; and his paternal uncle, Bill Wilcke.

Funeral Service: Saturday, April 9, 1 p.m., Armstrong Funeral Home, Mapleton.

Officiating: Pastor Jena Manchester.

Message in Music: “Simple Man” - Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Don’t Cry” - Guns and Roses, and “Stairway to Heaven” - Lead Zepplin.

Honorary Pallbearers: Michael Sexton and Aric Davis.

Pallbearers: Jory Punkiewicz, Matt Rossow, David Bluhm, Tony Helfrecht, Ben Roberts, Justin Hoatson

Visitation: Friday, April 8, 5-7 p.m. Music - The sound track of the movie “Top Gun.” Held at Armstrong Funeral Home, Mapleton.

Interment: Ida Grove Cemetery, Ida Grove.

Funeral arranged and conducted by Armstrong Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.armstrongfuneral.com.