Jeffrey "Jeff" Dallas Wilkening

Jeffrey “Jeff” Dallas Wilkening of Oakdale, passed away peacefully on September 2 nd , 2016 at the age of 51.  Jeff was born on October 27 th , 1964 in Appleton, Minnesota.  He loved to help serve others throughout his life.  Jeff graduated from Appleton High School in 1983. As a late teen, he served as a police officer for the City of Appleton and a chef for the Appleton Hospital. He went on completing his law enforcement and emergency medical training at Century College and University of Iowa and went on to work for the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 20 years as an emergency medical technician and concluded his career as an emergency dispatcher. His co-workers state that Jeff was a hardworking “Good Guy”, and great negotiator for his fellow team members.

Jeff’s hobbies included volunteering, traveling, and fishing with his family. As a young child, Jeff had a passion not only to play in his sandbox with his siblings, but also very much enjoyed and cared for animals though out his life.  Jeff was known to also be a fabulous cook in the kitchen.  He truly loved serving others and making their day brighter.

Jeff’s love of family was uncanny. He strived to bring out the best in people and took to heart his contributions to helping others. He had a passion to going out of his way to make things a bit better through his kindred spirit for human kindness.

Jeff is now at peace after dealing with many medical issues. Sadly, Jeff will be missed by all of us. Jeff has taught all of us to “Always Act with Kindness and Compassion for Life of People and Animals”. He is survived by his parents, Judy Wilkening of Cambridge and Dallas (Bonnie) Wilkening of Appleton; siblings: Rob (Margie) Wilkening of Watertown, Todd (Laurie) Wilkening of Apple Valley, and Maryann (Tom) Stoeckel of Zimmerman; step-brother, Steve (Jill) Stavos; step-sister, Stacie (Jeff) Hook; and many aunts, nieces, nephews, other beloved family and friends. Jeff’s God Parents were Jean Clapp and Denny (deceased) Arneberg.  Jeff was preceeded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Lucille Arneberg and Earl and Doris Wilkening; as well as his beloved Basset Hounds; Fred and Baxter.

Blessed be the memory of Jeff Wilkening.