Ernie Junior Wilkening's Obituary
Ernie Junior Wilkening was born at home on a farm near Maxwell, Iowa on October 27, 1939. He passed away peacefully at his home on January 28, 2022, at the age of 82. A visitation will be 4-6:00 p.m. Monday, January 31, 2022, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames. Burial will take place at Fjeldberg Cemetery in Huxley. Ernie was born to a large family and grew up in the Maxwell area. He attended Maxwell School and graduated in 1958. He had various jobs before settling in at John Deere in Ankeny, beginning his love of all things "John Deere green". He worked there for 38 years before retiring in 1997. Ernie and Gloria Lande were married on April 7th, 1962, and had three children - Janelle, Christopher, and Craig. They made their home on an acreage north of Huxley. Ernie loved to spend time outdoors working on his property or fishing with his children and grandchildren. Ernie was the biggest supporter of his family and loved to go to their school programs, sporting events, contests, and music programs. Family and friends knew of his love of polka music, especially the harmonica. He taught his grandchildren how to play at an early age and even taught the family dogs to sing along. He enjoyed finding and making friends wherever he went, as he was always one to strike up a conversation with a stranger. Ernie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gloria; their three children Janelle (Steve) Fitzwater, Christopher (Cindy) Wilkening, and Craig (Anita) Wilkening; his siblings, Elaine Cory, Larry and Lanny Wilkening; six grandchildren, Kandace (Patrick) Lant, Matthew Fitzwater, Katie (Josh) LeMaster, Jacob (Mackenzie) Wilkening, Mitchell (Brittany) Wilkening, and Marshall Wilkening; great-grandchildren Kinley and Maddox LeMaster, Faith Wilkening, and Brewer Wilkening; and his retired John Deere family. Memorials can be sent to Fjeldberg Lutheran Church in Huxley, or to the Fjeldberg Cemetery Fund. Online Condolences may be sent to, www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
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