Paul H. Wilken

Paul H. Wilken, 68, of Cook, passed away unexpectedly on October 2, 2024 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. He was born on January 4, 1956 in Syracuse, Nebraska to Herman and Tina (Dieckgraeff) Wilken.  He was baptized January 29, 1956 and confirmed March 22, 1970 at Grace Lutheran Church, Cook, Nebraska. Paul married Diane Nealy on September 17, 1977 at Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

After graduating from Nemaha Valley Schools in 1974, Paul worked for Sutherland Lumber for 13 years in Lincoln, NE, Amarillo, TX and Wichita, KS.  In 1986, Paul and his family returned to Nebraska to the farm where he and Diane met near Cook.  Paul was a dedicated member of the Cook Volunteer Rescue Squad for 26 years and the Cook Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years.  Upon retirement, Paul was also an active member and served as treasurer of the Cook Coffee Club.  He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church where he served multiple terms on the church council as well as on the Grace Lutheran Cemetery Association.

Paul is survived by his wife Diane; sons Matthew Wilken and wife Laurel and their children Kellan, Brantley and Anistyn of Meadow Grove and Michael Wilken and wife Kylie and their children Kyler and Michaela of Kearney, sisters, Helen Michel (Norm), Marj Adcock (Tom), Lucille Kerner and Delores Bischoff and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Bill and Inez Nealy and brother-in-law Robert Kerner.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Cook, Nebraska with Rev. Jim Helgren officiating. The service was also livestreamed and a link to the livestream is available here: https://www.facebook.com/HopeGraceELCA/videos/459898197074092

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, October 7, 2024 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family's choice for later designation.

Burial will be in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery, rural Cook, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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