Walter Wilke

Walter J. Wilke, age 92, of Willmar, died unexpectedly Monday evening, June 16th, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 19th, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar with Rev. Timothy Larson officiating. Interment will be in Cloverleaf Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.

Walter Julius Wilke was born August 2, 1915, in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, the son of Nellie (Harrier) and Gustav Wilke. He grew up in that area and received his education near Hollandale, Minnesota. Walter moved with his family to the Pennock area in 1939. He was married to Marie Swenson on February 6, 1943 in Willmar and they made their home on the farm near Pennock. They sold the farm in Pennock and farmed near Kerkhoven until 1955. In 1958 they purchased the Larimer's Resort on Norway Lake and renamed it Wilke's Resort. They retired from the resort in 1973 and moved into Willmar. Walter was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church, the Norway Lake Improvement Association, the West Central Wood Carvers Association and delivered Meals On Wheels. He loved being with family and friends and enjoyed wood carving, fishing, gardening and traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Marie of Willmar; one brother, Laverne (and Janice) Wilke of Pennock; and several nieces and nephews, besides other relatives and friends. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Arthur (and Louise) Wilke; and one sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Clarence Schlueter.