George Henry Wilkening

George Henry Wilkening peacefully passed away on July 29, 2024 at Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.  He was a long time Newton resident for 50 years, where he and his wife Sharon established careers, created extensive ties to the community, nurtured their faith in God, founded countless friendships and raised their children.  Over the last several years, he was able to join the Johnston, Iowa community to be closer to his granddaughter, providing yet another opportunity to establish incredible new relationships and ties to his church community.

George was a graduate of Sigourney High School, class of 1963 and went on to pursue a BS in Math Education from Northeast Missouri State College (Truman State University) (1967) and a MS in Physics from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (1972).   George taught school in North English, IA before coming to the Newton Community School district in 1972 where he worked as a Math and Science teacher until 2004.  He continued to substitute teach for the Newton community school district until 2016.

George was born on August 14, 1945 to Richard and Margaret (Rohloff) Wilkening in Sigourney, IA.  George was married to the love of his life, Share Dianne Bryan Wilkening, on May 29, 1969.  After 33 years of marriage, Sharon lost her battle to cancer and passed away in April of 2003.  They had two children: Dianna Gillespie (Johnston, IA) and Craig Wilkening-Willow (Los Angeles, CA).  George's grandchildren are Margaret (Maggie) Gillespie and Bella Willow.  He is also leaving behind several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, coffee buddies, close friends, in-laws and countless individuals that consider him family and will greatly miss his presence.

George will be remembered for his incredible vocal talent, his ability to connect with his students, and his tremendous faith in God.  He valued his work with the Kid Assist program, and he credited his Sunday School class with helping him get through the terrible transition after losing his wife. He enjoyed singing with his quartet group and church choirs and enjoyed the challenge of learning to play the bells.  The Science teams at school were always closer than just work colleagues for him and those relationships were ones that lasted a lifetime for him.  He looked forward to his coffee time with his friends each week and meeting for the "old folks" lunch each month to celebrate birthdays.  His family would like to thank the First Presbyterian Church of Newton and Central Presbyterian Church of Des Moines for the incredible love and support they have provided George throughout his life journey.

In lieu of a memorial service, a very small memorial moment will be incorporated into the service at Central Presbyterian Church of Des Moines (3829 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312) on August 18, 2024.  A small graveside service will be held at a later date with family when George is finally laid to rest by Sharon at the Newton Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions can be made to Newton Dollars for Scholars, Central Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, IA, First Presbyterian Church, Newton, IA, or Kid Assist Program C/O Linda Anderson, Newton, IA.