Harold Wilkins

Harold Kenneth Wilkins, 91, of Phoenix, Arizona, (formerly of Atlantic, Iowa) died on Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona.

Harold K. Wilkins was born October 2, 1916, to Charles and Rose Ella (Erickson) Wilkins of Cumberland, Iowa.

During Harold's childhood, George and Lizzie Shepherd raised him while he worked on their farm. They put him through school and he graduated from Atlantic High School in 1935.

On March 23, 1937, he was united in marriage to Alice Isabelle Robson. Together they had four children. Harold and Alice farmed in Audubon County, Iowa, until retiring to Atlantic in 1974. He worked for Allied Engineering for twenty years and then officially retired. They traveled to all 50 states, including many fishing trips to Canada, with their kids.

Following Alice's death in 1981, he was married to Marie Hansen in 1982.They lived in Atlantic until the fall of 2006, when he and Marie moved to Arizona. While in Arizona they lived with Marie's daughter and son-in-law, Thelda and Mel Williams. In April of 2008, Harold and Marie moved to an assisted living facility.
Harold enjoyed his children and grandchildren. He was an avid coin and gun collector. Harold's favorite past times were fishing, reading and gardening.

Harold was a long time member of the Wiota Methodist Church. He served on the church council and was in charge of the church flower beds for over 20 years as well as many other church projects.

Harold is survived by his wife, Marie, of Phoenix, Arizona; his daughter, Rosalie Kay Jessen of Anita, Iowa; his sons, James Wilkins of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and Roger Wilkins and his wife, Elsie of Atlantic, Iowa; his stepdaughter, Thelda Marie Williams and her husband, Mel of Phoenix, Arizona; his grandchildren, Geneda Clark of Wiota, Kim Wedemeyer and her husband, Jerome of Adair, Iowa, Brian Jessen and his wife, Joan of Peoria, Arizona, Brett Wilkins and his wife, Tabitha of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Brady Wilkins of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Natalie Hite and her husband, Clint of Ankeny, Iowa, Jason Wilkins and Jeff Wilkins of Sarasota, Florida, Gary Wilkins of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Darla Stalder and her husband, Bob of Kansas City, Missouri, Christine Smith, Ralph Williams and his wife, Dana and Cindy Williams all of Phoenix, Arizona; his daughter-in-law, Lynn Wilkins of Sarasota, Florida; his sister-in-laws, JoAnn Woltkamp of Omaha, Nebraska, Jeanette Robson of Wichita, Kansas; numerous great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Alice; his parents, Charles and Rose Ella Wilkins; his son, Curtis Wilkins; his brothers, Charles and Dale Wilkins; a sister in infancy, Berniece Wilkins; his parents-in-law, Henry and Mattie Wheatley; and his son-in-law, Gene A Jessen.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Wiota, Iowa, with the Reverend Bonnie Peterson officiating. Following the memorial service the family invites you to join them for lunch and memories in the church fellowship hall.

Harold's wish to be cremated has taken place. You may leave a condolence from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.