George Henry Wilken

George Henry Wilken, 90 of Spearfish went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 21, 2021.

He was born on September 5, 1931 to Henry and Georgia (Wilson) Wilken in Aberdeen, SD.  He grew up on the Wilken Homestead northwest of Faith, SD. He treasured ranching and the wide-open spaces throughout his life. 

George was baptized at Indian Creek Lutheran Church in 1935 at Chance, SD and confirmed there in 1946. He attended grade school at Happy Hill School and graduated from Faith High School in 1948. In 1951, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in Seattle, WA, and Atsugi, Japan. When he returned home, he ranched for one year with his parents and then enrolled at the School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD in September 1956 in mechanical engineering.

George met the love of his life, Janet Preszler, in 1955. They were married on August 4, 1957 at Christ Lutheran Church, Bison, SD.  George and Janet made their first home in Rapid City while George finished his Bachelor of Science Degree at the School of Mines and Technology. George and Janet moved to Dubuque, IA in 1960 where he worked as a mechanical engineer for John Deere Tractor Works. In 1966, George, Janet and family moved to the Wilken Homestead. In 1976, George returned to engineering, working for TCI Power Products in Yankton, SD. In 1984, George, Janet, and family moved to Tooele, UT where George worked for the Tooele Army Depot. He lived in Tooele until retirement in 2002, when he and Janet moved to Spearfish, SD. George then enjoyed many trips to the Wilken Homestead where he continued to ranch and garden. He volunteered at the Spearfish food pantry. 

George is survived by his wife, Janet and their four children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. These include Susan Linn (Joe) Wortmann and children Jeremy (Lindsey) Wortmann, Alex (Allison Wortmann); Ronda Rae (Greg) Jones, Brittney (Colby) Daniels, Amanda Warner (Russell Rassmussen), Melisa Warner (Vincenzo Deufemia); Lori Ann (Bill) Burton, Billy and Jack, Mike Henry (Michelle) and Riker Wilken. George is survived by his brother, Don Wilken, and a legacy of eight great-grandchildren. 

George was preceded in death by two infant sons, Todd Henry, and Mark Daniel, his parents, Henry and Georgia, and one sister who died at birth.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 27, 2021 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish with burial and military honors to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.