Died: 31 July 2009

Arthur Wilkens, 90 years, died 31 July 2009 from complications brought on by pneumonia. He is survived by his living wife Adeline, their seven children, Dianne (Bill) Schreiber, Eileen (Bob) SearVogel, Arleen (Jeff) Bolwerk, Sharon (Rick) Wilking, Paul (Karen) Allen (Denise), Ron (Linda), 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His daughter Beverly, from a previous marriage, his sisters Arline Luft and Leona Scheunemann, and his sister-in-law Esther Wilkens further survives him. Art was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Auguste (Nitzsche) Wilkens, a grandchild, his brother Elmer, and his brothers-in-law Waldemar Luft and Hilbert Scheunemann. 

Art was a decorated war hero who lost his leg during World War II but refused to use that as an excuse to slow down. He did not consider that a disability. For his heroism, Art was awarded the Purple Heart and the Oak Leaf Cluster. 

After the war he worked for 30 years for a local cookware company. He was known as a tireless worker who took delight in tending his garden, which was lush with raspberries and strawberries.

Art is listed on page 108 of the 4th edition of the Seidemann Family Tree. He is greatly missed by his loving wife and family.