Joann Wilken

JoAnn Wilken was born on April 22, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, and she was raised by Charles and Esther "Mary" (Jacobson) Youmans. She spent her younger years in Omaha and Templeton, Iowa. When she was about nine years old, she moved to Westside. She graduated high school with the class of 1955. JoAnn married Vern Wilken on May 27, 1956, at the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Westside and three children were born to this union: Vicki, Mark and Chris.

Jo was a member of the United Church in Westside. She was a hard-working farm wife who loved horses and raising bottle-fed calves. She loved seeing butterflies and tending her flower garden. She treasured spending time with good friends, family and neighbors. When the couple moved to town, she enjoyed watching the squirrels every day. Her and Vern loved to travel; they visited all of the United States, Mexico, Cayman Islands, the eastern and western Caribbean, Nova Scotia and Switzerland.

JoAnn died on February 2, 2021, at the Accura Health Care Center in Carroll, Iowa, at the age of 84 years, nine months and 11 days.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law, Vince Reagor, Ralph Johnson and Dennis Wilken; She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Vern Wilken of Westside; three children, Vicki (Dan) Lehrman of Spencer, South Dakota, Mark Wilken of Carroll, Iowa and Chris (Carla) Wilken of Wausa, Nebraska; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Kati Reagor and Charlie Youmans both of Spokane, Washington; sisters-in-law, Shirley Johnson of Louisville, Nebraska and Julie Wilken of Osceola, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

Masks are required at the visitation and funeral service.

Memorials may be directed to New Hope Village in Carroll or family wishes.

Interment will be at the Westside Cemetery.