Clarence Wilkening

The funeral for Clarence H. “Kelly” Wilkening, 95, of Fremont, formerly of the Fontanelle area, will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle.

He died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, at A.J. Merrick Manor in Fremont.

He was born April 17, 1909, on the farm north of Arlington to William and Lenora (Scheer) Wilkening. He attended school in Fontanelle. He farmed all his working years in the Fontanelle area. He also worked for the Washington County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office for 20 years. He married Pearl Strenger on Sept. 22, 1937. They moved into Fremont in 1976. She preceded him in death May 24, 1989.

He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle, where he had served on the church council for a number of years. He also had served on the Telbasta School Board. He had been a member of the Fremont Eagles Aerie 200.

Survivors include: two daughters, Rosie (Mrs. Travis) Nelson and Marilyn (Mrs. Wayne) Wagner, all of Fremont; a sister, Helen Niebaum of Fremont; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Wilkening of Arlington; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also was preceded in death by a brother.

The Rev. Jane Denison will officiate Thursday’s service. There is no visitation at the funeral home. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the church. Burial will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the church. Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.