Obituary for Martin A. Wilkens

Martin A. Wilkens, 61, of Atalissa, Iowa, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2011. Per Martin''s wishes his body has been cremated. A private graveside service will be held on October 30, 2011. Martin August Wilkens was born June 22, 1950 in Moline, IL the son of Walter and Margaret (Einfeldt) Wilkens. He married Vicki MyRene McClaughry on October 30, 1997 in Tipton, Iowa. Martin served in the United States Army during Vietnam; he received a Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Stars in battle while serving as a member of the Army Corps of Engineering Land Clearers 62nd battalion - "Jungle Eaters". He was a member of the Atalissa Zion Lutheran Church, and a life time member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Martin was an industrial / commercial journeyman electrician working on various projects throughout the United States. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horse shoes, shooting and horses. Martin is survived by his loving wife Vicki; stepdaughter Sonya; one daughter from a previous marriage Angela (Chris) Keller of Tipton; grandsons Clayton and Aron Keller, his father Walter Wilkens of Alaska; three brothers Carey (Mary) Wilkens of Okoboji, Arnie (Linda) Wilkens of Atalissa, and Roger Wilkens of Hope, AK; brother-in-law Marvin McClaughry and a sister-in-law Sandy French both of Omaha, NE. He is preceded in death by his mother Margaret Wilkens. The Wilkens family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at Iowa City Veterans Hospital and Heartland Hospice for their outstanding care and love to Martin throughout his illness.