In Memory of Floyd W. Wilcke

Floyd W. Wilcke, age 90, of Battle Creek, Iowa passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the St. Johns Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Randy D. Cormeny will officiate. Committal Services will be held in the Mount Hope Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Maple Valley Post No. 364 of the American Legion, both of Battle Creek, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 15, 2016 at the St. Johns Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Floyd Walter Wilcke

Floyd W. Wilcke went to our Heavenly home to join several family members on April 10, 2016. He was 90.

Floyd was born the seventh of ten children to Chris and Lydia Wilcke near Ida Grove, Iowa on October 29, 1925. He lived all of his childhood years in the Ida Grove area. He attained an eighth grade education in the Ida Grove School system, and worked on the family farm doing his share of the farm work.

Floyd proudly entered the Army and served in field combat in Germany until the end of World War II. He was proud of his “first scout” status, and sustained a minor wound in battle.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, he came back and began to farm in the Cushing and then Battle Creek areas. He married Helen Friedrichsen on May 16, 1948. This union was blessed with four children: Cynthia (Ron) Rossow, William Wilcke, Robert (Lynne) Wilcke, and Thomas (Cindy) Wilcke. The family tree grew further in being blessed with 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Floyd and Helen farmed in the area, and the farm purchased in 1961 is still in the family today. Floyd was proud of his hog and cattle operation, and especially his milk cows and his small stock cow herd. In the meantime, Helen tended to raising chickens and ducks and making the most delicious meals possible, including her famous homemade bread.  When Floyd retired from farming, he went on to work several jobs, and did much handyman work. He could always be found tinkering on something…whether he could fix it or not.

Known as a stubborn man with a strong opinion, Floyd was also a very passionate and giving man. He may have been inflexible on his views, but if someone was in need, he took a personal responsibility to help them. Even though he wasn’t baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church until an adult, Floyd was also stubborn in his Lutheran faith and truly wanted everyone to abide by God’s Law. His greatest passion was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His face would beam when he saw them. Other joys and hobbies for Floyd were volunteering at the Orphan Grain Train and gardening. He always grew an overabundance of vegetables, which he shared with anyone who would take them. If you put in a request, he would grow things he didn’t even like! He enjoyed “taking care” of people and looking out for those who were down-trodden, as was demonstrated by his volunteering for Hospice. To honor his service, Floyd was a 33 year member of the American Legion Post 364, and served as commander for many, many years. He also served in many offices at St. John Lutheran Church, and above all things, he loved the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Under that gruff exterior, Floyd loved many and was loved and respected by many.

Predeceasing Floyd were his parents, his parents-in-law, his wife Helen (1989), daughter Cindy (2009), son Bill (2013), grandson Bryan Wilcke (2016), three brothers, two sisters, and several in-laws. Left to carry on his legacy are sons Robert (Lynne) Wilcke of Ponca, NE and Thomas (Cindy) Wilcke of Battle Creek, IA; Son-in-law Ron Rossow of Fremont, NE; ten grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Also surviving him are three sisters, Phyllis Christie and Bonnie Spotts of Battle Creek, and Isabelle Plagge of Fremont, NE; a brother Wendell (Jean) Wilcke of Battle Creek and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Floyd’s impression on everyone will be missed. Helen and Floyd are united again!