Bernard Wiksen

Bernard John Wiksen, 94, of Hawarden, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2016 at the Hillcrest Healthcare Center in Hawarden.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at the Big Springs Baptist Church rural Alcester, South Dakota with Rev. Steve Pearson officiating. Burial will follow in the Big Springs Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon Tuesday, with the family present beginning at 6:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Bernard John Wiksen was born on November 13, 1921, in Hawarden, Iowa, to John and Mary (Swanson) Wiksen. He attended Ring School and Alcester High School. He farmed with his father in Union County, South Dakota. Bernard married Adelaine Johnson on February 20, 1948, at Wausa, Nebraska.

Bernard had been a member of the Lions Club and a Farm Bureau board member. He was very proud of the fact the he was the oldest living member at Big Springs Baptist Church where he had been a lifetime member and served as church trustee. He loved his God and church. He enjoyed traveling. He loved farming. Even towards the end of his life, he wanted to know what was happening on the farm and what the grain market was doing. He also liked to give a hard time to the staff at Hillcrest Care Center. He was loved and will be missed by his family, friends, and those who that took care of him at the nursing home.

Bernard was preceded in death by his wife, Adelaine and his parents, John and Mary Wiksen.

He is survived by his two sons, Wayne (Beth) Wiksen of Louisville, Kentucky, and Arden (Rhonda) Wiksen of rural Hawarden; grandchildren, Michelle (Luis) Jurado, Kenneth Wiksen, Wade (Sadie) Wiksen, John (Stephanie) Wiksen, Cody (Tiffaney) Prisk, and Katie Ghaner; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. ,Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Porter Funeral Home ~ Hawarden
712 10th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023

Prayer Service

7:30 p.m. ,Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Porter Funeral Home ~ Hawarden
712 10th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023

Funeral Service

10:30 a.m. ,Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Big Springs Baptist Church
30705 480th Avenue Alcester, SD 57001