Dallas Wilkening

Dallas Wilkening, age 75, of rural Appleton, died Tuesday, December 20th in Appleton Area Health Services –Hospital.  The Wilkening’s will greet family and friends, 2pm – 4pm, Friday, December 30th at the First Congregational Church in Appleton.  A Prayer Service will begin at 2:00pm.  No formal service will be held.

Dallas William Wilkening, age 75 of rural Appleton was called home on December 20, 2016 at Appleton Area Health services. Dallas was born on October 30, 1941 at home in Big Stone County, MN to his parents Earl and Doris (Perseke) Wilkening.

Dallas grew up in the Appleton area and graduated from Appleton High School in 1959. He owned and operated Dallas Wilkening Construction for many decades.  He was more than happy to take on many types of jobs, including digging sewers and basements, hauling gravel and dirt, excavation, snow plowing, and he provided gravel from his gravel pit to hundreds of miles to our country roads.

Dallas was an avid horseman, deer hunter, and fisherman and dabbled on his hobby farm just outside of Appleton. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren.  Dallas was one of a kind…a gentle soul who was always quick to give a warm smile and a hearty chuckle.  He was a jokester and liked a good laugh.  After retirement, Dallas enjoyed spending time with friends at some of his favorite spots.  If he wasn’t at home you could find him at one of the bakeries, gas stations and cafés in town and later in life at Milan Beach Resort.

Dallas is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Appleton; children: Rob (Margie) Wilkening of Watertown, Todd (Laurie) Wilkening of Apple Valley, Maryann (Tom) Stoeckel of Zimmerman; step-children: Stacie (Jeff) Hook of Coon Rapids and Steve (Jill) Stavos of Cambridge; 12 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Eunice Aden of Rockford, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.   He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Doris Wilkening; and son, Jeff Wilkening on September 2, 2016.

Blessed be the memory of Dallas Wilkening.