Obit: Wilcken, Rev. Robert S. (1936 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wilcken, Stevens, Milen

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) December 29, 2010

Wilcken, Rev. Robert S. (20 February 1936 - 25 December 2010)

Robert (Rob) Wilcken of Oelwein, IA, left his earthly home on December 25, 2010.  He died at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, IA from complications after heart surgery.

Rob is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Carolyn; three sons: Kurt (Kathryn) Wilcken of Sheboygan, WI, Steven (Seana) Wilcken of Ames, IA, and Geoffrey (Wendie) Wilcken of Lawrence, KS; one brother, Clarence "Pete" (Darlene) Wilcken of Roseville, MN; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Rev. Wilcken was born in St. Paul, MN, on February 20, 1936, the son of Clarence A. and Mary (Stevens) Wilcken.  He received his college education at the University of Minnesota.  Though music education was his first choice of study, he heard the call of the Lord, and chose holy ministry, entering Concordia Seminary, Springfield, IL, earning his Masters of Divinity and being ordained in 1963. 

He married Carolyn Milen on July 30, 1960.  For thirty-eight years, he served the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Genoa, CO and Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Hugo, CO; Zion Lutheran Church, Springfield, MN; Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Sheboygan County, WI; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ames IA; St. Paul’s Lutheran, Thorp, WI; and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Stanley, WI.  In his earthly years, he was especially active with the youth, participating in 4-H fairs and wilderness trips.  In 2001, he left Thorp, WI, retiring in Oelwein, IA.  He never stopped serving the Lord, filling in as supply pastor at several churches in the area, including Good Shepherd Lutheran in West Union.

Community activities include the Lions Club of Thorp, WI, presiding over campground services in the summer, membership in the Cupboard Association, and volunteering at Arlington Place.

Rob enjoyed many hobbies during retirement, from glass etching and stained glass artwork to quirky sayings wrapped around candy bars.  Known as the "Duct Tape Guy" his most recently hobby has brought much joy to many friends and family members.  He could often be seen around town wearing a duct tape tie and paying for purchases from his duct tape wallet, and conducted occasional demonstrations.

Visitation was held at Geilenfeld Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 28^th, from 4—7 p.m. Funeral services followed on Wednesday, December 29^th, at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Oelwein.  A private burial took place the same afternoon in Ames, IA.