Calvin Leroy Wilken

Calvin Leroy Wilken, 91, passed away with family by his side on February 8, 2018. He was born October 13, 1926 on a farm East of Lexington, Nebraska to Albert and Chrystal (Klinefelter) Wilken. He was baptized in the Hope Lutheran Church at Smithfield, Nebraska, attended District 24 in a one room school for 8 years and graduated from Elwood High with the class of 1944. His mother passed away in 1937. Calvin went into the army and was discharged as a Supply Sgt. in 1946. He married Ruth Jackson on February 15, 1947 at the Hope Lutheran Church in Smithfield. They farmed near Johnson Lake, Nebraska and eventually purchased their own farm, also near Johnson Lake, which is still in the family. They were blessed with two sons and one daughter. In 1958 they moved to Corvallis, Oregon where Calvin worked for Rex Clemens as a supervisor in the Veneer Plant, that was later bought by Willamette Industries. He retired in 1983 and his wife, Ruth, passed away in 1984. Calvin was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Corvallis, the American Legion and Eagles of Albany and was actively involved in the Model A car club, the Enduring A’s, a chapter of MAFCA of Albany. He enjoyed traveling and visiting his family and friends, also dancing, playing cards, driving his old tractors and driving his Model A on trips. One trip in 2003 was to Calgary, Canada with Ardy, his companion and dear friend of 31 years. Calvin is survived by Ardy Crowley and her family of Albany, Oregon; his children, Jerry and Melanie Wilken of Albany, Oregon and Susan Wilken of Hayward, California; granddaughters Emily Pinell of Bonney Lake, Washington and Jessica Meyer of Redmond, Oregon; great-grandchildren Jordyn, Dylan and Jackson; three siblings, Arline Miles of Lexington, Nebraska, Dorothy Abbott of Omaha, Nebraska, and Ruth Tilson of Longmont, Colorado; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Ruth (Jackson) Wilken; son Donald Wilken; twin brother Keith Wilken; three sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law; and grandson-in-law Daniel Meyer. Viewing, for those wishing, is scheduled 10:00 am to 11:00 am Thursday, March 8, 2018 at McHenry Funeral Home, Corvallis, Oregon. The funeral services will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th St, Corvallis, Oregon. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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Calvin Leroy Wilken

October 13, 1926 - February 8, 2018