Edward James Wilkens

Edward J. Wilkens, 89, of Fort Dodge passed away Monday, January 7, 2013 at the Marian Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 12th at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and 10:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church with Rev. Shane Deman officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Corpus Christi Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the V.F.W. Post 1856. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday where there will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. all at the funeral home. Survivors include his son, Mark Wilkens and his wife Jan of Gowrie; daughters, Barb Johnson and her husband Al of Fort Dodge; Sandy Cain and her husband Joe of Fort Dodge; 6 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Geo and Clara Wilkens; wife, Ruth in 1994; granddaughter, Jenna Cain; and 14 siblings. Edward James Wilkens was born on October 18, 1923 in Carroll, Iowa. He received his education at S.S. P.P. School and graduated from Carroll High School. Following his education he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving from October 6, 1942 till his honorable discharge on January 23, 1946. Ed served as First Class Petty Officer aboard a destroyer and mine sweeper, which took him to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pacific, and Japanese areas. Upon returning home he was employed with Wilkens Market in Carroll. Ed later went to work for Montgomery Ward Co in Carroll. On May 4, 1949, he was united in marriage to Ruth Clapper and the couple made their home in Carroll. In May of 1958, Ed transferred to the Wards Store in Fort Dodge where the couple raised their family. When Wards closed he joined the Fort Dodge Sears Store where he retired from in 1986. Ed and Ruth's first love was their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He and Ruth enjoyed their winter trips and golfing at Lakeside Golf Course. In 1998, he started to help his grandsons, Mark and Luke, assisting on funerals. Ed was a member of Holy Trinity Parish and the Knights of Columbus Council 613. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.